Source: FightingIllini.com
Posted: Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:09:00 AM EST
Published: Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:10:03 AM EST
Posted: Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:09:00 AM EST
Published: Thursday, August 13, 2009 11:10:03 AM EST
CHICAGO - Former Illini standout and three-time U.S. Olympic men's gymnastics head coach Abie Grossfeld will be honored tonight at the 2009 U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Allstate at McCormick Place in Chicago. Grossfeld's many accomplishments include leading the 1984 U.S. Men's Olympic team, to eight medals, including the team gold medal.
He also was at the helm for the men's U.S. Olympic team in 1972 and 1988 and the U.S. National team from 1981-88, during which time he led the squad to its first-ever victory over the USSR in 1982. Prior to serving as a head coach, he worked with the men's Olympic team in 1964 and the women's in 1968 as an assistant coach.
Grossfeld was active as an athlete as well, participating in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic games, two World Championships (1958 and 1962), three Pan American Games (1955, 1959, 1963) and 17 AAU National Championships (1952-68). He claimed eight gold medals at the Pan American Games and three straight national horizontal bar titles at the AAU National Championships.
During Grossfeld's time at the University of Illinois from 1957-60, the 12-time All-American captured four NCAA National Championships, (high bar in 1957 and the all-around, high bar and floor exercise in 1958). He also claimed seven Big Ten Championships in his career and took home the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was the first gymnast to receive Illinois' Dike Eddleman Male Athlete of the Year award in 1959.
Grossfeld is the only coach in this year's class, which also includes Olympic gold medalists Michael Johnson (athletics), Teresa Edwards (basketball), Mary T. Meagher (swimming), the 1992 Men's Basketball Team; Paralympic gold-medalist Sarah Will (alpine skiing); and Olympic silver medalists Picabo Street (alpine skiing) and Willye White (athletics). Skiing's Andrea Mead-Lawrence was selected in the veteran category, and former USOC Board Chairman and head of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Peter Ueberroth is the special contributor inductee.
He also was at the helm for the men's U.S. Olympic team in 1972 and 1988 and the U.S. National team from 1981-88, during which time he led the squad to its first-ever victory over the USSR in 1982. Prior to serving as a head coach, he worked with the men's Olympic team in 1964 and the women's in 1968 as an assistant coach.
Grossfeld was active as an athlete as well, participating in the 1956 and 1960 Olympic games, two World Championships (1958 and 1962), three Pan American Games (1955, 1959, 1963) and 17 AAU National Championships (1952-68). He claimed eight gold medals at the Pan American Games and three straight national horizontal bar titles at the AAU National Championships.
During Grossfeld's time at the University of Illinois from 1957-60, the 12-time All-American captured four NCAA National Championships, (high bar in 1957 and the all-around, high bar and floor exercise in 1958). He also claimed seven Big Ten Championships in his career and took home the Big Ten Medal of Honor and was the first gymnast to receive Illinois' Dike Eddleman Male Athlete of the Year award in 1959.
Grossfeld is the only coach in this year's class, which also includes Olympic gold medalists Michael Johnson (athletics), Teresa Edwards (basketball), Mary T. Meagher (swimming), the 1992 Men's Basketball Team; Paralympic gold-medalist Sarah Will (alpine skiing); and Olympic silver medalists Picabo Street (alpine skiing) and Willye White (athletics). Skiing's Andrea Mead-Lawrence was selected in the veteran category, and former USOC Board Chairman and head of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee Peter Ueberroth is the special contributor inductee.
