SMITH, Byron Inducted: 2009 Member-Gold Medal World Championships Team (1999) Byron Smith’s Coach, Tim Hall, said, “Byron was successful at everything he attempted. “He’s a nationally certified judge and coach, and his school work has always been his top priority. He’s the ‘All-American’ boy. I really hated to lose him, but he decided that (Texas) … Read more
PRICE, Ben Inducted: 1959 Ben Price was a name that was constantly being discussed at gym meets, judges’ meetings, and among the many Olympians to come out of Southern California during the ‘50’s and ‘60’s. I recall being part of a squad of gymnastics invited to the LAAC for a luncheon being held annually in … Read more
OKINO, Betty Inducted: 2002 Born: Africa 1975 Elizabeth (Betty) Okino is the essence of everything that Sports / Hollywood covers. Born in Africa to a Ugandan father and a Romanian mother, Okino was inspired to begin gymnastics by the success of Mary Lou Retton at the 1984 Olympics. A successful dancer prior to coming to … Read more
LYNN, Robert “Bob” Inducted: 1977 Born: Altadena, California Bob Lynn possessed all the attributes of a perfect gymnast. His height, body build, strength, and suppleness allowed him to perform standard moves with exceptional artistry, and he performed difficult movements that were all but impossible for others to execute. He was a member of the 1960’s … Read more
KLAUS, Bruno Inducted: 1988 Bruno Klaus’ contributions to gymnastics in the U.S. have seldom been heralded, but they are many, varied and important. He was a fine gymnast. Then he molded gymnastic champions of character and for over 30 years has used the rewards of his business acumen to help on numerous levels. As … Read more
JOHNSON, Brandy Inducted: 2000 Born: Tallahassee, Florida Brandy Johnson was not only a highly successful national level competitor and national champion she was an American Olympian. Johnson also is one of those very special people who realize that an individual’s success is largely dependent upon the help and sacrifices of others. Because of this realization, … Read more
JOHNKE, Bruno Inducted: 1970 Born: Berlin, Germany Bruno Johnke is, in retrospect, the Von Braun of gymnastics. In the same way that the Mercury & Gemini space programs would not have been successful with such rapidity without Von Braun, American gymnastics would not have known what was being written at the international level about the … Read more
GALLEHER-Tonry, Barbara Inducted: 1986 Barbara Galleher-Tonry has been Yale University’s Head Women’s Gymnastic Coach since its beginnings. Originally, a few female students came to men’s coach Don Tonry, a former Olympian and National AAU champion. He was willing to help, but he needed support and called on Barbara Galleher. Galleher had been a tumbling and … Read more
DAVIDSON-JOHNSON, Bonnie Inducted: 2003 Born: Not Available Ms. Davidson is truly a business person and sports personality from local to international levels. In 1977, she owned and operated the only USA gymnastics-training center in Rockford, IL. By 1982, Bonnie attracted more than 600 athletes from 15 different countries to Rockford to compete in the World … Read more
CONNER, Bart Team Inducted: 1984 Individual Induction: 1996 International GHOF: 1996 Inducted: U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame – 2005 Born: March 28, 1958 In gymnastic history, the only American gymnast, male or female, to reach the event finals since 1932 occurred in 1968. No American had qualified for the event finals since the Los Angeles … Read more