DRAGHI, John Inducted: 1994 Born: Chicago, Illinois-USA John Draghi was one of the two best junior college coaches throughout the late 1950’s and ‘60’s. He was also another multi-sport athlete, a common finding among Hall of Fame athletes. One of his strongest characteristics was the charisma he generated with his teammates as well as … Read more
CULHANE, James “Jim” Inducted: 2011 Born: Rochester, NY. Culhane competed at a very high level for 19 years (1957-76) and was a member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team and the 1971 Pan American Games Team. Olympic Games: member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic Team-Montreal, Canada. 1968 – 7th place in U.S. Olympic Trials; Other … Read more
CROSBY, John, Jr. Inducted: 1998 It appears reasonable to argue that John Crosby, Jr. ruled the gym during the early to middle 70’s. During his prime years, John’s tumbing technique was disseminated and studied throughout the USSR and Japan. However, the most telling of his accomplishments or honors is that he was awarded the … Read more
BISSINGER, John, Jr. Inducted: 1993 John Bissinger competed in only the third summer Olympic Games (1904), so it appears that he is probably the earliest competitor among Gymnastic Hall of Fame Honorees. Actually, the winter games were added in 1924. The Olympics were not intended to be a competition among nations. It was a competition … Read more
BECKNER, John “Jack” Inducted: 1976 Born: June 9, 1930 Jack Beckner was a USA gymnastic era unto himself. His dominance at every level in every event was an inspiration to all. He was every aspiring gymnast’s hero and idol. He was in the top three in every event almost all the time and a … Read more
Beck, Jon Inducted: 2012 Six-time World Tumbling champion Jon Beck of Blue Springs reached the pinnacle of his sport when he was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame on June 30, 2012 in San Jose, Calif. World Championships: Beck won two tumbling titles at the World Games (1989, 1993), the 1992 World tumbling … Read more
ASHMORE, Jamille “Jay” Inducted: 1993 Born: September 23, 1933, Dallas, TX Whether in the training gym, the competition floor, or in the worlds of coaching, judging, gymnastics or business administration, Jay Ashmore was always moving. And everywhere he moved, with a few positive words, he created confidence and enthusiasm. Ashmore was elected to the … Read more
VAN AALTEN, John (1915 – 2008) Inducted: (1970) Born: Netherlands John Van Aalten had to be a person who went into a gym one day and something strange happened. He fell in love with gymnastics and, fortunately for all, a knowledgeable mentor was nearby to help orchestrate that love. John recently celebrated his 90th … Read more
VOLZE, Irwin (1890-1967) Inducted: 1960 Born: Frankfort, Germany Irwin Volze arrived in the U.S. at age 19. He attended the Turner Normal School in Indianapolis, Indiana later moving to the Los Angeles area in California. Mr. Volze was an institution in local, area, and national gymnastics for decades. He was a soft-spoken, very dignified person … Read more
VDOVETS, Irina Inducted: 2007 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 activity began … Read more