CAHOY, Phil Inducted: 2001 It’s a given that many or most parents dream about their children becoming successful in personal endeavors as well as humanitarian efforts. Phil’s father owned a gym and was his coach, so it’s easy to see what Mr. Cahoy, Sr. had in mind. Phil’s parents’ dreams were fulfilled as Phil found … Read more
STEFFEN, Otto Inducted: 1994 Otto Steffen is another athlete who had to be beat to lose; that is, his opponents had to rely on their own skill rather than thinking about winning because Steffen would slip or fall. His reputation was that he just didn’t miss, and we should all relate to that. Keep in … Read more
KORBUT, Olga Inducted: International women’s Sports Hall of Fame, 1982 Special Guest & Significant Contributor to U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Born: May 16, 1955, Grodno, Belarus There is little doubt that the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany were unique. The TV cameras showed up at the gymnastic competitions and Olga Korbut was there to show … Read more
ZABKA, Norma Inducted: 1996 Born: 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 proponents of the … Read more
LOKEN, Newt (1919-2011) Inducted: 1971 Born: Breckenridge, MN Newt Loken has been described as the “Gentleman of gymnastics” by gymnastics historian Lyle Welser and was deemed “Mr. All-American” for his gymnastics winning ways, his outstanding coaching record, and his persevering service to the gymnastics community. Gymnastic Achievements: West HS, Minneapolis, MN, State Championships, Gold-AA, (1938); … Read more
Anastasia Valeryevna “Nastia” Liukin Inducted Team: 2007 Inducted Individually (Super Seven): 2014 Anastasia Valeryevna “Nastia” Liukin: She is the 2008 Olympic individual all-around Champion, the 2005 and 2007 World Champion on the balance beam, and the 2005 World Champion on the uneven bars. With nine World Championships medals, seven of them individual, Liukin is … Read more
COMANECI, Nadia Inducted: International GHOF, 2006 Honored Guest & Significant Contributor to U.S. Woman’s Gymnastics Born: November 12, 1961 Onesti, Moldova, Romania Getting Started: Nadia begin kindergarten at age three and was first introduced to gymnastics in school by Marcel Duncan. Shortly thereafter she caught the attention of Bela and Marta Korolyi who became … Read more
CAZZELL, Nard (1913-1999) Posthumously Inducted: 2002 Born: Amarillo, Texas The Texas Gymnastics Association’s highest award is the SPECIAL LIFE MEMBER AWARD. Nard Cazzell received the award in 1971 and is described by the group as “. . . one of the rich characters and great coaches who added so much to hundreds of trampoline … Read more
YOUNGER, Maximilliam “Max” (1886-1962) Inducted: 1959-Among the Original Class of Honorees Born: Pilsen, Czechoslovakia Maximilliam Younger is another individual whose contributions to gymnastics in the U.S. has gone unheralded in the gymnastic world of today, but those who knew him will never forget him. Max Younger came to the U.S. in 1906. He served the … Read more
WILLIAMS, Mark Inducted: 2015 Head Coach – University of Oklahoma Mark Williams has become a household name in the world of gymnastics. The University of Oklahoma head coach has had success at every level of the sport. He has established OU as the nation’s elite program with six national titles in 16 years. Williams … Read more