Jeff Hennessy

Jefferson Thomas Hennessy Sr. (October 27, 1929 – March 24, 2015) was a Panamanian-born American trampoline coach and physical educator.

Hennessy was an Associate Professor of Physical Education at University of Louisiana at Lafayette from 1959 to 1986, served as the director of the University’s gymnastics and trampoline programs and he was the United States trampolining coach from 1964 to 1980.

In total, his athletes were awarded 26 world championship medals and numerous national and regional titles and medals.

Biography Hennessy was born in Ancón, Panama, where he lived with his family until the age of 12, before they emigrated to Monroe, Louisiana, United States. He graduated with a bachelor's degree from Northwestern State University.

Hennessy was an Associate Professor of Physical Education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Lafayette, Louisiana (then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana) from 1959 to 1986,

Achievements and awards World Acrobatics Society Legends Hall of Fame, 2005 “Jeff T. Hennessy Trampoline and Tumbling Scholarship" established by USA Gymnastics, 2003 Federation International Gymnastics (FIG) Honorary Member, 1999 USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame, 1996 International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, 1992 International Trampoline Federation Lifetime Membership Award, 1984 American Trampoline and Tumbling Association Outstanding Coach of the Year, 1982 University of Southwestern Louisiana Distinguished Professor, 1982 U.S. Trampoline Association Hall of Fame 1976 Jeff Hennessy Day by Mayoral proclamation in Lafayette, Louisiana, 1974 Amateur Athletic Union Outstanding Coach of the Year, 1970 and 1972 Member of the United States Olympic Committee for Gymnastics, 1965-1969 United States delegate for the Amateur Athletic Union to Winston Churchill's funeral, 1965 Professional consultant for United States Diving Inc. on trampoline safety and skill performance, ABC Television, CBS Television, United States Department of Justice on trampoline safety, United States Gymnastics Safety Association, International Trampoline Federation, and USA Trampoline and Tumbling on safety and coaching techniques.

Books The Trampoline As I See It (International Publications of Lafayette, 1969) Trampolining (William C Brown, 1968) A Successful Guidebook of Twisting Single and Multiple Somersaults (2007)