THE HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP AWARD
2004 - MARK WILLIAMS: Bedford , Texas : Mark came to Texas from Oil City , Pennsylvania . He earned his Bachelor’s degree from The University of North Texas, majoring in Physical Education. He began his gymnastics coaching career in 1970 at the Garland Flippers Gymnastics Club. He has taught and coached at North Garland HS, the University of Oklahoma , South Garland HS and in 1988 took his present position at Trinity High School in Euless . As a high school coach, Mark has coached numerous State team and individual champions, as well as three National High School Championship teams and four individuals who have earned Champions status in individual events at the National level. In addition to his coaching responsibilities, Mark is active in the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association and the Texas Gymnastics Judges Association. He has served as Regional Technical Director and Vice President in the High School Association, and as the Texas Junior Olympics State Director. He has been the Technical Vice President in the Texas Gymnastics Judges Association since 1980. He has served as Midwest Director of the National Gymnastics Judges Association and currently is the National Director at Large. As a gymnastics judge, Mark has judged local, state, and national meets including Junior Olympics, Big Eight, NCAA, Championships of the USA, Winter Nationals, to name a few and international meets like the Goodwill Games, World Sports Fair and Chunich Cup in Japan, Pan American Games in Columbia and the Dominican Republic, USA vs China & Romania, as well as the World University Games in Spain. He has served as National Apparatus Leader or Assistant on Pommel Horse, Parallel Bars and Vaulting since 1992, He was the Men’s Technical Director of the 1993 US Olympic Festival in San Antonio and the Men’s Assistant Competition Manager for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta . GAT is pleased to present our 2004 Honorary Life Member, Mark Williams.
2003 - DEBBIE WILLIAMS: Bedford , Texas : Debbie earned her degree in Physical Education from the University of Texas . She participated in gymnastics and cheerleading while in high school and college. Currently she is a Health teacher and gymnastics coach at L. D. Bell High School , where she has also served as student council sponsor, senior class sponsor, and was elected as a PTA life member. As a high school gymnastics coach, Debbie’s teams have won more team titles than any other coach in the history of the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association State Championships. She has co-hosted 14 Texas High School Gymnastics Meets and the first National High School Gymnastics Meet where she coached the Girls Team Texas that won the meet. Her high school gymnastics team have won numerous district and regional championships. In addition, she hosted the American Classic Meet and other State and Regional Junior Olympic meets as well as served as volunteer at the World Championships in Fort Worth , the American Cup and Mixed Pairs, the Goodwill Games in New York and the Olympic Games in Atlanta . Debbie has been selected as Regional High School Coach of the year, State High School Coach of the Year, and National High School Coach of the Year. . GAT is pleased to present our 2003 Honorary Life Member: Debbie Williams.
2002 - BRANDY HANEY: Round Rock: Brandy received her B.S. and M.A. in Sports Administration from UT Austin. She has spent 21 years of her life coaching high school gymnastics, 20 of those years in Round Rock. Her Round Rock High School girls’ teams have won 15 Regional and 2 State Championships. Teams under Brandy’s leadership have qualified to State Championships each of her 21 years of coaching and many were finalist and have won State individual titles at one time or another in each of the events. Three times Brandy has had gymnasts selected for the National High School Championships and was once the honorary head coach for the Texas delegation. Over 100 of her gymnasts have been All American and top 10 nationally ranked, including a #1 ranking of both individuals and team as designated by the National High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. Brandy has been named Regional Coach of the Year 9 times, Texas State Coach of the Year 3 times, and National Coach of the Year 2 times. She has received Texas Women’s Judge of the Year; numerous GAT Honor and Merit Awards; the GAT Distinguished Service Award twice and received a Life Member Award by the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. She has served as the Secretary/ Treasurer of the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association for 9 years and the Region II Technical Director for 14 year. During the 1990’s Brandy was a member of the GAT Board, serving as apprentice Executive Secretary under PaPa GAT, Brian Schenk, and later served as GAT Executive Secretary. Upon retirement from public education, Brandy is co-owner and instructor of “funbus”…a pre-school gymnastics academy on wheels, teaching weekly classes at day care centers, mother’s day out programs, elementary schools, etc., along with participating in hundred of birthday parties, carnivals, corporate events, etc. To quote Brandy: “(I) love teaching preschool gymnastics, operating in the business world and judging the competitive gymnasts of Texas …..Loving it!!!!” It doesn’t get any better than this. It is GAT’s pleasure to present our 2002 Honorary Life Member: Brandy Haney.
2001 - Jim “Jimbo” Jarrett: Austin : Our new Life Member’s parents knew he was some kind of acrobat when he did headstands on the couch at age two. He has been totally involved with the sport of gymnastics ever since. He began his serious gymnastics training under Otis Bud in 1970, competed under Jeanette Hawkins at Pan American University where he earned a degree in Physical Education. His coaching career began as Bars and Vault coach at Melba’s in McAllen, then on to San Antonio, Dallas, Houston, and now, for over 18 years, at Capital Gymnastics. He and his wife Cheryl have more Honor Awards than anyone else in Texas for coaching national level athletes. Few people in America can equal Jim as a facilities manager for major gymnastics championships. He has conducted many national level championships and continues today to be a leading force in gymnastics sports development in Texas . He has served on the USA National Training Team coaching staff from 1986 – 1999. He has been blessed with a unique gift to teach gymnastics to children and inspire them in his special way to excel and constantly improve. His athletes have competed all over the world and have won many state, regional, and national titles. Over 40 of his athletes have earned college scholarships and have gone on to compete at the collegiate level. He has worked behind the scenes for GAT for many years. He is always there to provide and haul equipment, provide workers and financial support, do the dirty work so that these events will be an exciting adventure to those who attend. Hardworking, articulate, fiercely loyal to friends, a business wizard, that’s our nominee. At present, he successfully operates six Capital Gymnastics facilities with the help of an enthusiastic and terrific staff. He has a heart of gold and possesses an incredible way of successfully managing the complex dynamics of a growing business involving staff, athletes, parents, community, and (he says) the best Booster Club in the country! He credits his success to God’s blessings. We are pleased to present our 2001 Life Member, Jim “Jimbo” Jarrett.
2000 - Marc Yancey, Austin : Excellent team motivator in high school and college competition, and became a national-class women’s coach in the 1980s, and an international-class men’s coach in the 1990s. Bill and Bea Crenshaw, Brian Schenk, Pat Yeager, Jim and Cheryl Jarrett, all had a part in his success. He competed in AAU meets in the 1960s and helped to build the first high school gymnastics program in Austin at Reagan High. There, Brian Schenk inspired him to "challenge men to be excellent in all they do and become Men of Character...and to care about their lives, their future, and the blessings we are given in the people we meet." Our Honoree’s collegiate mentor was Pat Yeager at San Jacinto College . Won gold in Texas collegiate competition. He has coached in Pasadena , in Kerrville , and a number of years in the Dallas area while completing a divinity degree at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. Gymnastics almost lost this man to another calling but he continued to dabble in gymnastics coaching to help put food on the table. He coached women's gymnastics and served on the Texas Women's Gymnastics Committee of the USGF from 1971-1986. In 1991 he returned to his greatest interest, gymnastics development for young men, and became a member of the Men's Committee in 1991. He came into his prime in the years since 1995 at Capital Gymnastics as Men's Director and Men's Head Coach for Jim and Cheryl Jarrett. He has received six GAT National Honor Awards for his coaching, and the GAT Distinguished Service Award for the development of gymnastics in Texas and the United States . In the 2000 Championships of the USA , one of his athletes won the gold medal in pommel horse. Our Honoree has held many, leadership positions including President of the Mike Sims Memorial Scholarship, 1993-1999; President of U. S. Men's Gymnastics Coaches Association, 1992-present; Chair, U. S. A. Gymnastics Men's Program Committee, 1994-present; USAG Board Member, 1992-present; President of GAT, 1996-97.
1999 - Gil Elsass, Austin : Gil started his gymnastics career on a fluke. He needed a PE credit at UT, couldn’t get into swimming, so he had to take gymnastics. Well, he liked it, tried out for the team the next semester and made it. The rest is history. After graduating from UT with a BS in Physical Education, Gil and his brother Art persuaded the Crenshaws to retire and sell their gym to them. Bill and Bea Crenshaws had established their gym in 1949, the oldest private gymnastics club in America . Much to their surprise, Bill said yes and the job of filling the shoes of Bill and Bea began. Gil and Art ran gymnastics classes, team, swimming classes and created a bussed-in program of gymnastics for the surrounding child care facilities. Then they built a new facility and added a club for adult members with a weight room, running track, water aerobic classes, after school care programs, and a pre-school program called Palaestra. Crenshaw Gymnastics became the first truly “mega-gym in Austin . Gil’s accomplishments include serving as State USGF Men’s director and USAG Men’s Regional Director, a position held for ten years. He hosted the Junior Olympics National Championships 1992 and numerous state and regional championships for both men and women. He was presented with a 25 year service award at the USAG Congress and was instrumental in establishing the Sims Scholarship. His quiet inspirational leadership, his organization skills, his structuring of an outstanding training program for men and women all work together to make Gil a fitting recipient for this Life Member award.
1998 - Bob Sanderson, Abilene , Texas . Bob is a long-time high school teacher and coach at Abilene High School , and is a rated men’s judge. His teams have qualified for the State High School Championships for many years and his team won the Championships in 1987, a year in which he was voted the National High School Coach of the Year. As a rated judge, he has officiated at the Junior Olympic National and the Olympic Sports Festival in recent years. He served GAT at the post of Treasurer from 1990 to 1995, longer than any other person and is solely responsible for the development of the computer base for the organizations operations, including a credible accounting and budgeting system, which accommodates the rapid technological growth of the 21st century.
1998 - Billy Booth, Richardson , Texas . Coach of Richardson Recreational Gymnastics for over 25 years. As a coach, program director, and state USAG officer, Billy has been “Mr. Wonderful” in Texas Gymnastics since 1979. He has hosted numerous State, Regional, and National USAG meets, and has been recognized with two GAT Distinguished Service Awards, and numerous awards from the USAG. Billy continually helps coaches, judges, and gymnasts wherever he might be.
1997 - Rudy Magdaleno, Tyler “Tossers”, Tyler. Rudy is truly the “father of gymnastics in Northeast Texas .” Modern gymnastics programs east of Dallas and north of Houston have felt the inspiration of this pioneer. Rudy has been in Texas since the early 1970’s after a career as a high school and collegiate gymnast in Los Angeles . He is widely respected as a teacher and technician for boys and girls. Enduring, quiet, affable, cooperative, caring. Rudy has given service to Texas gymnastics since 1972. (Deceased, 2001).
1996 - Cheryl Medley Jarrett, Capital Gymnastics, Austin. After a competition career at San Angelo High School and SWTSU, she and husband Jim built Capital Gymnastics into a major national training center in the 1980’s. No coach in Texas has more Honor Awards than they for coaching national level athletes. Serving as GAT President three times, 1986-87, 1988-89, and 1994-95, she was the first and only person to serve in that office more than once in the organization’s history. Cheryl pioneered the “Educational” Module – Friday educational and professional development program – for GAT at the 1987 Gathering. This educational step forward placed the “Texas Gathering” in the forefront of regional and state organizations to the United States . Cheryl has been awarded the Distinguished Service Award four times, more than any other member in the Association’s 31-year history, and has been recognized with the prestigious Honor Award nine times. She is the first of her coaching generation to be elected as Honorary Life member of GAT.
1995 - William Cornelius, Ph.D. University of North Texas , Denton , a former Arizona State Gymnast in the 1960’s. he began teaching at North Texas State University (physical education dept) in 1965 and became director of gymnastics in 1970. Bill’s service to Texas gymnastics has been three fold. His men’s collegiate competition program was a strong player in the 1970’s Texas college scene. Secondly, his long-time physical education professional program has produced many talented teachers and coaches of gymnastics. And, thirdly, he has been a prolific researcher and writer in biomechanics, with numerous articles in professional journals and the USAG’s “Technique” publication. He was Director of the pioneering Texas Biomechanical Task Force, 1980-83.
1995 - Michael “Mike” Osborn, Abilene YMCA. After three early career years at the Arlington & Galveston YMCA’s, 1970-73, Mike found a home at the Abilene YMCA. He has served as Gymnastics Coach, Physical Director and Director, a record of stability few community programs can obtain. Since 1973 he has held the chairmanship of the Texas YMCA Gymnastics Council, one of the last great “thankless jobs” in Texas . He has held a YMCA Council meeting at the GAT meeting every year since 1979. Through his more than twenty years of dedicated effort, YMCA athletes have been a part of the gymnastics mainstream in Texas . He has served twice as Vice President of GAT, once as President-elect of GAT, 1991-92, and GAT President 1992-93. He has received the Distinguished Service Award from GAT twice, in 1987 and 1993 as well as a number of National YMCA recognitions.
1994 - Charlie Teas, Corpus Christi , Texas . Charley’s gymnastics service begin in 1962, when he became a physical education specialist at the San Angelo Public Schools, building a six-weeks gymnastics unit for junior high school using home made apparatus. He was a gymnastics and swimming coach and teacher at the University of Texas at El Paso in the middle 1960’s. He became part of the staff at Del Mar College. He was a gymnastics businessman , operating a private club, and a gymnastics supply and sales dealership. Charley became the Director of the FBC Gymnastics program, which was one of the major Corpus Christi programs by the middle 1980’s.
1992 - Jim McKinney, Baird , Texas . Jim began his coaching career in the Junior High programs in the HEB school district and has continued with more than twenty years of successful teaching/coaching at Abilene Cooper High School . An early leader of the men’s judging association, an international judge representing TGJA at a number of international meets. Past president of the Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association. 1993 - Sandy Streeter, Metroplex Gymnastics, Dallas , Texas . Sandy was on of the “Griff’s Kids” at Dallas Athletic Club, beginning training in tumbling and trampoline in 1953 amidst other early Texas greats. 2nd Place AAU Tumbling Nationals, 1959. Her “tumbling Texans” program, started in 1963, later grew to be the multi-gym “Metroplex Gymnastics” programs. One of the first multi-gym operators in Texas .
1991 - Gerald Bartosh, JCC, Houston , Texas . Gerald is a Houston club pioneer. His “gymnastics Associate Southwest” was the first storefront operation in Texas , operating on a major thoroughfare with high visibility. He is an accomplished watercolor artist collected by many Texas Gyms.
1991 - Nikki Yeager, Naples , Florida . Past President of GAT, 1984-85. Past President of the Texas Gymnastics Coaches Association. Distinguished Service Award, 1985. Nikki has been active in gymnastics teaching in high schools and private clubs since the early 1970’s and has operated the Texas summer Gymnastics camp in Kerrville since 1975.
1990 - Martha Mitchell, Permian High School , Odessa . Beginning at Permian in 1971, Martha Mitchell’s girls teams qualified to the Texas high School Championships for eighteen of the next nineteen years; coached the State Champions in 1975 and State runner-ups in 1982, 1989, and 1990, with 11 State Champions, 10 All American Teams, and 90 Individual High School All Americans. President of GAT in 1973-74. First female President of THSCGA in 1986, re-elected to a second term in 1989. 1990 - Jack Tillinghast , West Texas State University, Canyon. As a youngster, Jack was a Maverick a the Amarillo Boy’s Club; as a national and world-class trampoliner, he competed all over the world in the 1950’s. With Edsel Buchanan and Ralph Dykeman, the created the West Texas AAU gymnastics program in 1956. Since the 1950’s, he has been a physical educator at West Texas State , teacher of dozens of the West Texas coaches. He is the last of the “pioneer generation” to be honored by the Life Membership.
1989 - Bob Finch, Gymnastics USA , Houston . Bob began his gymnastics career in 1952 and has maintained a continuing association with the sport since that time. He entered coaching in 1957 part time and has been active a s a full time coach since 1964, serving at Houston Downtown YMCA, Dad’s Club YMCA and Philips 66 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma. He opened his own program in 1971 and has been active in coaching since that time.
1989 - Avis Tieber Jamison, Mountain View College , Dallas . Avis was a national and international champion in gymnastics while working as an athlete with Lester Griffin at the Dallas Athletic Club and later coaching at Crenshaw in Austin . She has become a career physical educator. She served as a staff member at the Texas high School gymnastics Clinic, during the “form-active years” of his high school gymnastics.
1988 - Ben Zickefoose, Abilene . Ben was a founder and first President of the GTAT/Gymnastics Teachers Association of Texas, which was the predecessor of GAT in 1965. He has been an Associate Professor of Physical Education at Abilene Christian University since 1963 and has been active in gym sports since 1953. In recent years he has traveled more than half a million miles in a Christian ministry utilizing gymnastics principles. Ben has trained ACC demonstration or competition teams in gymnastics since 1963.
1987 - Ginger Arons, San Angelo . A former GAT President (1981), former State Judge director for NAWGJ, and an international Brevet judge, Ginger Arons was a modern pioneer for club gymnastics in West Texas , beginning Texas Tumbleweed Gymnastics Club in the 1970’s.
1987 - Bee Crenshaw, Elgin . Bee’s elevation to the Life Membership is long overdue. She was half of the Crenshaw Athletic Club team of Bee and Bill from 1949-1977. She is remembered as a pioneer coach of tumbling, trampoline, and artistic gymnastics.
1987 - Beau Biron, Houston. Beau continues to give top-quality leadership on the USGF State Board and as the inspiration and moving force of the USGF Women’s Coaches group. He served as GAT President in the 1985-86 term. He has been active as a gymnastics businessman since 1972, and has been a part of the national USAIGC program. He also was a leader in the 1986 National Sports Festival presented in Houston .
1986 - Bettye Martin, Garland . Bettye Martin has served as President of GAT; organizer of the Private Gymnastics Clubs competitive conference in the 1970’s, and leadership to countless competitions in Texas since 1965.
1983 - Dr. Garland O’Quinn, Dev. Gymnastics, Austin. Garland was a member of the U.S. Olympic Team in Rome , 1960. He has been a leader in teacher training. Emphasizing importance of movement ed. programs for all children. “Gymnastics is for everyone” is a fundamental concept in his approach. 1984 - Robert Cowan, Formerly, Fort Worth ; USGF National Men’s Director, Indianapolis , Indiana . High school and club coach, 1968-1983. Host of State High School gymnastics Championships, 1983; floor director for 1984 Olympic gymnastics Championships, Los Angeles ; High School Coach of the Year, 1983; Past President of Texas High School Coaches Association; President of GAT, 1973-74. Only person to be awarded the Distinguished Service Award of GAT two times; Officer of Nat. HS Gymn. Coaches Assoc. Elevated gymnastics and has had a profound effect upon hundreds of athletes. 1985 - William Valentine, Fort Worth . Bill Valentine began coaching gymnastics in the 1950’s and by the middle 1960’s was conducting one of the great “gymnastics marathons” at the Fort Worth Country Day School Gymnastics Meet. He was national program Director for girls for the USGF in the 1970’s and is truly a veteran of building gymnastics competition programs in Texas . 1985 - James White, Central High School , San Angelo . The amazing story of gymnastics in San Angelo keeps coming back to a determined, dedicated, stubborn man names James White. Beginning a program in 1967, James literally sold the idea of gymnastics to San Angelo . Many college scholarship athletes have come from the Central High program. The splendid facilities at Central High are James’ monument. (Deceased, 1997).
1982 - Dr. Darlene Schmidt, Southwest Texas State University , San Marcos . Arriving in Texas in 1968, Darlene was the first USGF State Director in the 1970’s. She served as GAT President, in 1972-73. For more than ten years, the SWTSU women’s team were strong competitors in AIAW and NCAA gymnastics competition. Training of gymnastics teachers in physical education classes, as well as the training of judges, conduct of safety programs, and operation of an age group community service program was all part of the “Miracle at San Marcos ”.
1981 - Ralph Reeves, formerly Gymnastics Incorporated, Garland . Nat’l Judge; Past President of GAT, 1974-75; USGF State Men’s Director. 1974-1981. Ralph made significant nat. contributions in the dev. of a USGF Boys age-group comp. program. Consultant in development of 1980 nat’l compulsories for boys.
1981 - Dr. Edsel Buchanan, University of Nebraska , Omaha , Nebraska . Elected to the National Trampoline Hall of Fame, 1979, for his performance as an athlete as a youth in national and international competition. Trained at Maverick Boys Club with Ralph Dykeman. While a professor at Texas Tech, Edsel was the crossroads of gymnastics and trampolining for the Texas Panhandle area during the 1950’s, 1960’s, and 1970’s.
1980 - Fillmore Hendrix, former consultant in Physical Education Program Development, Texas Education Agency, Austin . Fill was the founding President of GTAT in Fort Worth , 1967. He made significant contributions at the highest state education levels toward creating and open atmosphere for public school gymn. program dev. in the 1950’s, 60’s, and 1970’s after developing a very successful gym. program in the Clear Creek School district near Houston . 1980 - Bill Willis, Dallas SOKOL, Dallas. Bill was one of “Griff” griffin’s gymnasts in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Coached national level competitors in the 1970’s.
1979 - Jamille “Jaye” Ashmore, Dallas, Pan American Games Competitor, 1963; trained under Bill Crenshaw at UT-Austin, and later succeeded Crenshaw at UT Coach in 1966; dedicated clinician and teacher. National Special Events Director of the USGF, 1977-79.
1978 - Brian Schenk, Stephen F. Austin High School , Austin . While serving at Reagan and Austin High School, 1966-1977, Brian designed the public school gymnastics program of the Austin Public Schools . He served ten years as editor of the GAT state newsletter, was state President 1977-1978, and has been a member of the State Executive Committee since 1971.
1976 - Emil Milan, L.D. Bell High School , Hurst . Emil was and is the backbone of high school gymnastics competitive programs in Texas . His teams have won more state titles than any other high school. Served as Executive Director, Texas High School Gymnastics Coaches Association, 1970 – to date.
1976 - Jerry Milan, Trinity High School , Euless , and Fort Worth SOKOL. Jerry has been a distinguished high school coach/program builder, a national SOKOL leader, a member of the men’s Olympic Gymnastic Committee, and GAT First President, 1971-72. 1977 - Jeanette Hawkins, Pan American University , Edinburg . This lady has spent more than thirty years as a great national leader of AAU gymnastics. Her P.E. classes at Pan American University have produced dozens of coaches and teachers of gymnastics.
1975 - Patrick Yeager, Naples , Fl. (awarded while a resident of Corpus Christi ). Coach Yeager was U.S. Women’s Coach, 1960 Olympic Games, Rome , Italy , and World Games Women’s coach, Prague , Czechoslovakia , 1962. He had a long career as a college coach, AAU leader, private club operator, and leader of competition organizations. Founder of Texas Summer Gymnastics Camp. (Deceased, 1994).
1974 - Nadeane Barber, Rufugio JHS. Nadeane was the first public school educator to receive the Life Membership. She was instrumental to the addition of a gymn. sport section to the annual events at the TAHPER conv., giving gymnastics full status in the activities of the State. (Deceased, 1982).
1973 - E.A. “Pop” Snapp, YMCA programs, Houston . Pop was the father of gymnastics in the Houston area. Active for many years in the TAHPER Prof. Teachers program. (Deceased, 1981).
1972 - Walter Hosek, Dallas SOKOL. Walter was one of the early national & international gymnastics competitors from Texas . He competed as a SOKOL athlete for more than 30 years. Competed in 1938 World SOKOL SELT in Prague , Czechoslovakia in 1938.
1971 - Nard Cazzell, Nard’s Gymnastics School , Amarillo . Nard is one of the rich characters – and great coaches – who added so much to hundreds of trampoline and gymnastics championships over the years. (Deceased, 1999).
1970 - Lester A. “Griff” Griffin , Dallas Athletic Club, Dallas . One of the early pioneer coaches in Texas. Griff’s coaching at DAC in the 1930’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s produced many of the Texas Coaches of today. (Deceased, 1977).
1969 - Ralph Dykeman, Maverick Boys Club, Amarillo . Coach Dykeman coached many national and international champions in tumbling and trampoline in his 5 years with the Mavericks. Many pioneers in Texas have vivid memories of the red shoes of the Maverick tumblers and trampoliners. (Deceased, 1986).
1968 - Dr. W.A. “Bill” Crenshaw, Elgin . Dr. Crenshaw was a pioneer collegiate coach at the University of Texas in Austin , while operating Crenshaw Athletic Club from 1952-1977. He served in 1974-75 as the VP of USGF. (Deceased, 1996).