Trampoline History
Newt Loken - Gentleman of Gymnastics
In
the early 1940's, Newt Loken, of the University of Minnesota gymnastic
team made history as a performer and champion in Big Ten competition.
He was All-Around gold medal winner twice while taking first place
also on Flying Rings and Parallel Bars. During the same period,
he won the gold as the NCAA All-Around and High Bar Champion.
His performances in collegiate meets also awarded him many silver
and bronze medals.
He was Captain of the Minnesota team under coach Ralph Piper. He was, in addition, an All-American Cheerleader and Captain of the Minnesota squad. He was also on the diving team for the Gophers.
At West High School of Minneapolis in the late thirties, he became the state All-Around champion gymnast.
Newt served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. As an officer under the guidance of Illinois' Hartly Price, he taught physical conditioning to the Naval aviators in their pre-flight school in Iowa City. Newt co-authored the Navy's book, "Gymnastics and Tumbling", with two other famous gymnasts, Joe Gaillombardo and Chuck Keeney. His sea duty had him assigned to the USS Prince William, an Aircraft Carrier. During this eighteen-month tour of duty he used a trampoline in his physical conditioning program.
At the end of World War II, Newt began a long and impressive career at the University of Michigan. He coached Wolverine gymnastics from 1947 until 1983. While at Michigan, he completed a Master's Degree and his Doctorate (1955). Dr. Loken not only coached Gymnastics and Cheerleading at Ann Arbor, but also found the time to write several books on Gymnastics, Tumbling, and Cheerleading. When he retired in 1983, Newt was honoured by the Michigan Marching Band before 100,000 football fans by spelling "NEWT" on the field.
Coach Loken's record during 36 seasons as Michigan's Head Coach is indeed outstanding. Overall record of 250-72-1 (.776); 12 Big Ten titles; 2 NCAA titles; 2 Trampoline titles; 71 Individual Big Ten title holders; and 21 NCAA title holders. He produced more trampoline champions and World Medal winners than any other collegiate coach. He was mentor to such greats as Edsel Buchanan, Bob Schoendube, Gary Erwin, Wayne Miller, Dave Jacobs, George Huntzicker, and Ron Munn.
Dr. Newt was active in many gymnastic organisations including the National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches. He served on its Board of Directors, and held titles as President, Vice President, and Secretary-Treasurer at various times. He was a delegate to the first meeting called to establish an independent gymnastics federation..later to become the United States Gymnastics Federation (Now USA Gymnastics); Chairperson USTA Hall of Fame; Chair NACGC Honor Coach Award.
Newt earned many other honours during his career. These include Michigan Hall of Honor; Michigan Amateur Sports Hall of Fame; The United States Savings-Helms Hall of Fame; Master of Sports Award from the USGF; Two-time National Coach of the Year; University of Minnesota Athletic Sports Hall of Fame; Honorary Member/University of Michigan Women's Athletics; Spirit of Michigan Award.
Several Scholarships at the University of Michigan have been established to honor the contributions of Dr. Newt Loken: 1) The Newt Loken scholarship to assist Michigan gymnasts; 2) The Newt Loken Cheerleading Scholarship Award.
LIFE Magazine featured Newt on May 18, 1942 with an article, "All-around Gym Champion: Newt Loken is a Combination Strong Man and Acrobat". He was described by NACGC gymnastics historian Lyle Welser as the "Gentleman of Gymnastics: a fitting title for this amiable coach. This writer agrees, Wow! What a man!
By Joseph C. Schabacker "Collegiate Gymnastic Legends"