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25 Facts About Abie Grossfeld

1.

Abraham Israel "Abie" Grossfeld was born on March 1,1934 and is an American gymnastics coach and former gymnast.

2.

Abie Grossfeld 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.

3.

Abie Grossfeld joined the West Side YMCA in New York City at the age of 16, initially to swim.

4.

Abie Grossfeld was captain of his high school swimming team and competed mostly in the 50 yd.

5.

Abie Grossfeld finished 2nd in the individual all-around at the 1957 NCAA Championships.

6.

Abie Grossfeld received a master's degree from the school in 1962.

7.

Abie Grossfeld received the Dike Eddleman Athlete of the Year Award in 1959 as an Illinois Fighting Illini men's gymnastics team member.

8.

Abie Grossfeld finished in the top three in 10 of 16 events,.

9.

Abie Grossfeld competed in the 1958 World Championships, finishing 7th in the team competition and 53rd in the individual all-around.

10.

Four years later, Abie Grossfeld again competed in the World Championships, when the US team placed 6th and Abie Grossfeld finished 85th in the all-around.

11.

Four years later, at the 1960 Summer Olympics, the US team finished 5th and Abie Grossfeld placed 36th in the all-around.

12.

Abie Grossfeld had more success at the Pan American Games, competing in 1955,1959, and 1963.

13.

Abie Grossfeld won 15 medals, including the gold in the individual all-around in 1959.

14.

Abie Grossfeld competed at the 1953 Maccabiah Games, the 1957 Maccabiah Games, and the 1965 Maccabiah Games, winning a combined 17 gold medals.

15.

Abie Grossfeld served as head coach of US men's gymnastics team at five World Championships, and head coach of the US team at Pan American Games in 1983 and 1987.

16.

Abie Grossfeld was the head coach of the men's team at the 1986 Goodwill Games.

17.

Abie Grossfeld coached four Nissen Award winners, three NCAA Div.

18.

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

19.

Abie Grossfeld was chosen NCAA National Coach of the Year three times.

20.

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

21.

Abie Grossfeld was named Gymnastics Federation Coach of the Year in 1984.

22.

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

23.

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

24.

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

25.

Abie Grossfeld was elected into National Judges Frank Cumiskey Hall of Fame.