TOM, William “Bill” 1926 – 2012 Inducted: 1992 Born: San Francisco, California Bill is a man of energy and humility, opening the gym in the evenings and then helping numerous young gymnasts learn the gymnastic skills they would later perform in Olympic Trials, Olympic Games, World Championships, NCAA Championships, and other prestigious competitions. His experiences … Read more
ROETZHEIM, William “Bill” Inducted: 1975 Born: September 7, 1928 Bill Roetzheim was a gymnast, a highly successful high school and college coach, a judge of international repute, an innovative college director, and an expert lecturer constantly in demand. As a competitor, Bill Roetzheim won 9 National Championships in AAU and NCAA competition, and these accomplishments … Read more
MEADE, William “Bill” (1925-2004) Inducted: 1974 It was my pleasure to know the “brash” but jovial and “lovable” knowledgeable coach, Bill Meade. Even though he was coaching his team at national competitions, he willingly helped me and others. He was an institution in the gymnastic world, and I was also privileged to be an Olympic … Read more
BRUCE-MARTIN, Wendy Inducted: 2010 Wendy Bruce-Martin is raising a family, pursuing a degree in sports psychology and helping young gymnasts and their parents realize that having fun is the secret to big-time success. She is an example of a person used to doing the impossible, successfully. Starting Out: Bruce, who still uses her maiden name, … Read more
LIENERT, Walter “Lefty” Inducted: 1974 Born: Chicago, IL At some time long past, many pebbles were dropped into pools of water. Each created ripples that may be thought of as generations within families. We are part of a gymnastic family and have ripples that represent the generations of athletes, coaches, judges, and other contributors who … Read more
BUFFA, William (1920-2005) Inducted: 1988 Stalwart Of YMCA Gymnastics According to Buffa, he joined the West Side YMCA in New York City at age 15. He became a YMCA Leader and boy’s gymnast coach in 1940. He came under the influence of Anton Klar, whom he regarded as his primary coach. Klar was a … Read more
BONSALL, William Inducted: 1983 Born: December 31, 1923 Olympic Gymnast, War Hero, and Hall of Fame Coach, Bill Bonsall is the past become the future and the future that is the past. Olympic Games: Team member, London, England, (1948). Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Bonsall attended Philadelphia’s Bartram High School and was a member of that … Read more
ZIMRING-SCHNEIDERMAN, Valerie Inducted: 2007 Born: Los Angeles, California-USA Prelude to Rhythmic Gymnastics The history of Rhythmic Gymnastics can be traced as far back as 1814 by Per Henrik Ling. Ling promoted aesthetic gymnastics in which students expressed their feelings and emotions through bodily movement but it was still calisthenics without apparatus. Then it 1864 … Read more
D’AUTORIO, “Vinny” Vincent (1915-2008) Inducted: 1971 Born: Newark, NJ Vincent D’Autorio is another Hall of Fame Honoree who was forced to balance work, service to his country, and gymnastic training. He was a two time Olympian who competed in an era that featured some of America’s best gymnasts including Bill Roetzheim, George Wheeler, Ed Scrobe, … Read more
TALAVERA, Tracee Inducted: 1998 Born: San Francisco, California-USA Tracee Talavera matured as an elite gymnastic competitor more quickly than seems possible. She is one of the few or the only gymnast to actually make an Olympic Gymnastic Team when she was still too young to compete. Coaches Dick and Linda Mulvihill, USGHOF Inductees, certainly had … Read more