Abie Grossfeld

Abraham Israel "Abie" Grossfeld (pronounced AY-bee; born March 1, 1934) is an American gymnastics coach and former gymnast. Grossfeld represented the United States as a gymnast for 15 consecutive years in 35 countries as a member of 26 international United States men's national artistic gymnastics teams including the Olympic Games, World Championships, and Pan American Games.

Early life and education Born in New York City, Grossfeld was involved in multiple sports from a young age. He won gold medals in two Jr. Olympic Cycling Championships, (1949–50). He also won the New York City 4 X 50 relay team title at Madison Square Garden in 1949, and the Bronx High School high jump and standing long jump titles in 1949.

Grossfeld joined the West Side YMCA in New York City at the age of 16, initially to swim. winning a combined 17 gold medals.

Coaching career After retiring from competition, Grossfeld turned to coaching. He served as head coach of U.S. men's gymnastics team at five World Championships (1966, 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1987), and head coach of the U.S. team at Pan American Games in 1983 and 1987.

He was also the head coach of the men's team at the 1986 Goodwill Games.

In addition, he coached the U.S. gymnasts in three Maccabiah Games: 1973, 1977 (men and women), and 1981. His 1981 squad won three team gold medals.

During this time, he also became a professor of physical education and head gymnastics coach at Southern Connecticut State University, helping the program become one of the best in the country.

He coached four Nissen Award winners (akin to football's Heisman Trophy), three NCAA Div. II championship teams, 10 Consecutive Eastern Collegiate Conference (EIGL) team championships (1975-’84), and 148 gymnasts who achieved All-American status.

Among those he coached were Peter Kormann, the first U.S. Olympic individual gymnastics medalist since 1932; John Crosby, two World Cup individual gold medals; and three Pan American individual gold medal winners (1971 & ’75).

Legacy In 1959, Grossfeld was voted the University of Illinois’ “Athlete of the Year" and was awarded a Big Ten Medal of Honor for demonstrating joint athletic and academic excellence throughout his college career.

He received the Federation Internationale de Gymnastique Master of Sports Award in 1960.

He was chosen NCAA National Coach of the Year three times (1973, 1975, and 1976).

He was elected to the United States Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1979.

He was named Gymnastics Federation Coach of the Year in 1984.

Grossfeld, who is Jewish, was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.

He received the USA Gymnastics "Spirit of the Flame Award" in 1999.

Grossfeld received the World Acrobatic Society's Acrobatic Legend Award in 2001.

He was elected into National Judges Frank Cumiskey Hall of Fame.