RANCK-BONNIWELL, Roberta “Bobby” Inducted: 1988 Born: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania DOD: 12/19/1981 “The Babe Didrikson” of Philadelphia Excerpts: A Tribute To Roberta Ranck Bonniwell written By her cousin Margaret R. Eppihimer: “Roberta Ranck Bonniwell is the daughter of the late Mr. And Mrs. Marcus D. Ranck and the wife of the late Judge Eugene C. Bonniwell of … Read more
PIPER, Ralph (1906-2000) Inducted: 1959 – Among Original class of Honorees The gymnastics coach with a shaky start, the heart of an adventurer, and an explosive coaching finish that had a positive effect on many young people as well as the adults he served with distinction. Ralph Piper was one of only eight head … Read more
PIERCE, Roxanne Inducted: 1996 Born: Plainfield, New Jersey Roxanne Pierce exemplifies the nature of the gymnastic world in the sense that the crowds who watched her perform knew excellence when they saw it. She often drew enthusiastic applause when accepting another Gold Medal regardless of the continent on which she competed. She also exemplifies the … Read more
PIEO, Roman (1915-1977) Inducted: 1978 Roman “Pieo” Paglione, competing under the name Roman Pieo, was one of the many individuals in the ‘40’s and ‘50’s to contract “polio.” It is amazing to me that so many managed to avoid the disease. It is also very dear to my heart that Roman was able to deal … Read more
NULL, Robert Inducted: 2010 Null of Mission Viejo, Calif., coached Jennifer Parilla, who became the first U.S. trampolinist to compete in the Olympic Games when the sport made its Olympic debut in 2000 and qualified for her second Games in 2004. Coaching Career: At the time of this writing, Null was coaching Logan Dooley, who … Read more
MOORE, Roy E. (1875 – 1957) Inducted: 1959 – Among Original class of Honorees THE EARLY YEARS Roy E. Moore (Left) & John F. Bissinger at Frankfort, Germany, 1908 Often thought of as “The Father of American Gymnastics, Moore was the first honoree of USA Gymnastics, and a Vice President of FIG. Roy Moore took … Read more
MITCHELL, Russell “Rusty” Inducted: 1985 Born: Phoenix, AZ 1942 Rusty Mitchell started his gymnastics at Baldwin High School in California coached by John Draghi, 1994 Gymnastics Hall of Fame Inductee. Bill Roy, winner of numerous SPAAU tumbling championships created a school act featuring inspirational messages after retiring from competition. His act used stand up comedy, … Read more
KERN, Rene J. “Frenchy” Inducted: 1960 Rene “Frenchy” Kern is another unhearalded coach who had a tremendous influence East Coast gymnastics. He went about his coaching duties as Director of the famous Central Branch YMCA of Brooklyn, NY for 30 years. It was during the time of their competition heydays. Rene Kern was another graduate … Read more
HRADECKY, RUDOLF (1909-1993) Inducted: 1994 Born: Dolni Bucice (Town of Lower Bucice) District of Kutna Hora, Czechoslovakia Rudolf “Rudy” Hradecky arrived in New York at the age of one and joined the Bohemian Gym Society-New York Sokol in 1926. Like so many Gymnastics Hall of Fame Honorees, he was a multi-sport person. At Stuyvesant High … Read more
HOLZAEPFEL, Richard “Dick” Inducted: 1983 Born: Sandusky, Ohio Dick Holzaepfel is another gymnastic coach who contributed greatly to the development of gymnastics in the United States through a long and fruitful career of leading gymnasts to the top of the winner’s podium. Coach: Holzaepfel began as assistant gymnastics instructor at Michigan for three years after graduating … Read more