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
SCHWIKERT, Tasha Individually Inducted: 2012 Member-Gold Medal World Championships Team (2003) The extreme honor of being selected to be the Captain of a Gold Medal winning World Championship Team can only be exceeded by an outstanding individual performances in that competition. Tasha Schwikert was up to the occasion in all respects. Getting Started: The … Read more
SCHLESINGER, Thomas “Tom” Inducted: 2006 Tom Schlesinger represents the epitome of an athlete and scholar. I recently had the opportunity to meet him at the 2007 GHOF Induction Cermony; however, it was disappointing that time did not allow it. But now I have the chance to introduce him to the entire world and take … Read more
MUZYCZKO, Ted Inducted: 1980 Born: January 14, 1936. Chicago, IL Gymnasts, judges and audiences throughout the world are aware of the potentially serious nature of accidents inherent in the sport of gymnastics. Many have a story about what they have seen or experienced. One slip in an awkward position and the gymnast, male or … Read more
MALONEY, Tom Inducted: 1971 Tom Maloney was my coach in Moscow, Rome, and Prague. He was able to make some corrections to my performance on several events during the pre-competition training. He was a well-respected man, especially in the way he gave service to the AAU that was the governing body for U.S. gymnastics. His … Read more