Significant Events or Milestones in Y Nationals History
YEAR
1938
1942
1954
1959
Early 60s
1965
1966
1967
1970
1972
1982
1983
1987
1990-1991
1992
1993
1996
1999
2006
2007
2008
2009
1938
1942
1954
1959
Early 60s
1965
1966
1967
1970
1972
1982
1983
1987
1990-1991
1992
1993
1996
1999
2006
2007
2008
2009
EVENT/MILESTONE
First men’s event held in Detroit Michigan
Championships suspended due to World War II
Men’s Championships resume, Abie Grossfeld wins and goes on to compete in two Olympics
Idea of running the competition over 2 days first discussed. This will not happen for another 7 years. Adding a junior division was also discussed (similar to Developmental Division). It is unclear whether this was added for 1960.
Coaches form United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF) unhappy with the US Olympic showings, the Amateur Athletic Union’s commitment to gymnastics
Women’s Championships held for first time. Joyce Tanac wins, and goes on to compete in the Olympics
Seattle wins first of eight non-consecutive national titles under Coach George Lewis. (Streak only broken by Champaign Il in 1970 and 1971, with team member Linda Metheny, who went on to participate in 3 Olympics)
This was the first time the Championships were held on the West Coast.
USGF and YMCA schedule National Championships for the same weekend. Troubles ensue for host YMCA (Dayton Ohio) in obtaining qualified judges.
Championships are extended to a two-day format due to number of participants; Team scoring changed to reflect scores of top 3 competitors from each team.
After almost a decade of fighting and years of Congressional Hearings, USGF becomes governing body for US gymnastics, taking over from the Amateur Athletic Union. USGF will later be renamed to USA Gymnastics (USAG).
George Lewis moves his club from the Seattle YMCA to Seattle Pacific University – runs the Seattle team for 2 more years
The last Men’s Championships are held this year with a very low turnout of only 13 gymnasts. At its height in the late 60’s, the Men’s Championships attracted 28 teams, and 84 gymnasts.
This Championship was held in Los Angeles as an event leading up to the 1984 Olympics, with full Olympic Committee support. An open competition with non-YMCA gymnasts was also held, swelling the numbers of competitors.
After 35 years, Bill Buffa retires as Chairman of the National YMCA Operating Council for Gymnastics, immediately after the National Competition.
Numbers for women top 200 for the first time
Developmental Division begins
400-500 competitors during this time
Northwest Tampa wins both Championship and Development Divisions – the first team to do so in back to back year (Championship is levels 7-elite; Developmental is levels 5 & 6)
Women’s Championship division broken into Senior and Junior age categories
Championship (Levels 9-elite); Developmental (7-8 and 5-6)
Competition over 3 days
Over 800 Competitors
Festival competition for men held this year, with host team having a strong men’s team
Competition over 4 days
Over 100 teams compete for the first time
Championship (Levels 9-elite); Developmental (7-8); Novice Level 6 & Novice Level 5
Championship (Levels 9-elite); Developmental (Level 8); Novice (Level 7) plus levels 6 & 5
1000 plus competitors – now limited by size of facility
Lakewood WA women win 8th non-consecutive national title, tying the Seattle team
Festival competition for men held this year with 89 participants
Men’s championships held for the first time in 24 years – but with a low turnout
Level 4 competition added for first time
Men’s competition goes back to festival competition
Level 2 and 3 competition added for the first time
Lakewood WA wins 9th non-consecutive national title – breaking the tie with Seattle
First men’s event held in Detroit Michigan
Championships suspended due to World War II
Men’s Championships resume, Abie Grossfeld wins and goes on to compete in two Olympics
Idea of running the competition over 2 days first discussed. This will not happen for another 7 years. Adding a junior division was also discussed (similar to Developmental Division). It is unclear whether this was added for 1960.
Coaches form United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF) unhappy with the US Olympic showings, the Amateur Athletic Union’s commitment to gymnastics
Women’s Championships held for first time. Joyce Tanac wins, and goes on to compete in the Olympics
Seattle wins first of eight non-consecutive national titles under Coach George Lewis. (Streak only broken by Champaign Il in 1970 and 1971, with team member Linda Metheny, who went on to participate in 3 Olympics)
This was the first time the Championships were held on the West Coast.
USGF and YMCA schedule National Championships for the same weekend. Troubles ensue for host YMCA (Dayton Ohio) in obtaining qualified judges.
Championships are extended to a two-day format due to number of participants; Team scoring changed to reflect scores of top 3 competitors from each team.
After almost a decade of fighting and years of Congressional Hearings, USGF becomes governing body for US gymnastics, taking over from the Amateur Athletic Union. USGF will later be renamed to USA Gymnastics (USAG).
George Lewis moves his club from the Seattle YMCA to Seattle Pacific University – runs the Seattle team for 2 more years
The last Men’s Championships are held this year with a very low turnout of only 13 gymnasts. At its height in the late 60’s, the Men’s Championships attracted 28 teams, and 84 gymnasts.
This Championship was held in Los Angeles as an event leading up to the 1984 Olympics, with full Olympic Committee support. An open competition with non-YMCA gymnasts was also held, swelling the numbers of competitors.
After 35 years, Bill Buffa retires as Chairman of the National YMCA Operating Council for Gymnastics, immediately after the National Competition.
Numbers for women top 200 for the first time
Developmental Division begins
400-500 competitors during this time
Northwest Tampa wins both Championship and Development Divisions – the first team to do so in back to back year (Championship is levels 7-elite; Developmental is levels 5 & 6)
Women’s Championship division broken into Senior and Junior age categories
Championship (Levels 9-elite); Developmental (7-8 and 5-6)
Competition over 3 days
Over 800 Competitors
Festival competition for men held this year, with host team having a strong men’s team
Competition over 4 days
Over 100 teams compete for the first time
Championship (Levels 9-elite); Developmental (7-8); Novice Level 6 & Novice Level 5
Championship (Levels 9-elite); Developmental (Level 8); Novice (Level 7) plus levels 6 & 5
1000 plus competitors – now limited by size of facility
Lakewood WA women win 8th non-consecutive national title, tying the Seattle team
Festival competition for men held this year with 89 participants
Men’s championships held for the first time in 24 years – but with a low turnout
Level 4 competition added for first time
Men’s competition goes back to festival competition
Level 2 and 3 competition added for the first time
Lakewood WA wins 9th non-consecutive national title – breaking the tie with Seattle
