Biography: MOORE, Roy E.

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 up gymnastics in his mid-twenties and competed for the New York Turners. His fifty years in gymnastics began in 1907 when he won the first of five national titles on the pommel horse, then known as a side horse. He won again in 1908, 1909, 1912 & 1913. He is credited with devising the pommel horse element known even today by Americans as a “Moore”.

Only Frank Cumiskey, with seven national titles on the horse exceeded his record. Moore’s specialization in pommel horse work was probably due to his physical build (long and lean) and the fact that he had started so late in life. He learned the basics from teammate John Bissinger, Jr. who was elected to the national Hall of Fame posthuminously in 1992. Bissinger and Moore took part in the Frankfurt, Germany Turnfest in 1908 and both made the coveted prize list in the “Zwolfkampf,” an event requiring a gymnast to perform  compulsory and optional exercises on apparatus and in selected track and field events.

THE PRIME YEARS
Moore (Circa 1945)

Moore is an original Hall of Fame honoree elected in 1959 two years after his death. He can rightfully be called the first honoree since the Hall of Fame was initiated originally to honor his life in gymnastics. In 1920, he became Chairman of the National AAU Gymnastic Committee and held this position until his death in 1957. Moore was instrumental in arranging for the United States’ participation in the 1920 Olympics (Amsterdam). He served as Coach/Manager of the 1920, 1924, 1928 and 1932 US Olympic Teams. He later became the US representative to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) and was shortly thereafter elected to the Vice Presidency of the FIG, a position he held until his death. He was a Fifty Year  (Lifetime) member of both the New York Turners and the 23rd St. YMCA. Jerry Hardy, a historian and writer who worked with Moore for many years described him as “First, last and always a gentleman of firm character, vitally interested in the youth and manhood of our country, devoted to gymnastics and all amateur sport and beloved by who knew him.” (Excerpt from the 1957 AAU Handbook) Moore owned and operated a soap and soap dispenser business in New York City giving freely of his time and resources to the sport he loved.*

THE AUTUMN YEARS
Moore (Circa 1952)