Trampoline History Blog: USTA

- Trampoline History -

By 1970, the sport of trampoline was experiencing a tremendous growth spurt in both numbers of participants and new private clubs opening up across the US. Although the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) remained the governing body for the sport; sponsoring annual national competitions and sanctioning athletes for international championships, it had limited involvement with youth programming.

Spurred by a recent decision made by the United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF) to exclude trampoline from sanctioned collegiate gymnastics competitions, George Nissen, on October 11, 1970, assembled a select group of thirty-three US trampoline and tumbling coaches. This group collaborated on the formation of a new organization. One that would support, develop and promote the sport of trampoline through age-group programming and competitions, while continuing to allow the AAU to remain the governing organization for the sport.

Jeff Austin addressing attendees at the organizational meeting - 1970

Those attending the October organizational meeting represented an impressive list of “Who’s Who” from both the sports of trampoline and tumbling: Jeff Austin of Triton College, former NCAA Trampoline and AAU Tumbling Champion…Nancy (Smith) Blegan, competitor in three trampoline championships...Bob Bollinger, tumbling and trampoline champion and well-known Rockford, Illinois private trampoline coach…Jon Bolton, former University of Iowa trampolinist and current coach at Glenbard School, Lombard, Illinois…Don Carney, former University of Iowa competitor…Jerry Clarke, trampoline coach from Springfield, Illinois…Ed Cole, former national collegiate trampoline champion…Milt Davis, current U.S. representative to the F.I.T.…Earle Duggan, Des Moines, trampoline coach…Larry Griswold, world famous professional trampoline performer…Dick Holzaeppel, University of Iowa gymnastics coach…Vito Lopin, Rockford, Illinois, diving coach…Wayne Miller, current trampoline champion...Ron Munn, former national AAU and Pan AM Games trampoline champion…Dave Ransom, Memphis, father of 1970 women’s world trampoline champion…and Vince Tracey, former Florida State University gymnast.

The founders adopted the name: United States Trampoline Association, and set out goals to foster improved competition for trampolinists throughout the United States, to establish safe and uniform standards for competition and provide sound lines of communication for coaches, judges and teachers.

The group then agreed to hold their first annual National Trampoline Clinic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on December 27-30, 1970. In addition, Temporary officers were appointed to serve until the first, formal organizational meeting to be held December 27, 1970 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Temporary Officers:

President: Jeff Austin, Gymnastics Coach, Triton College, River Grove, Ill.
Secretary: Milt Davis, US Chairman AAU Trampoline Committee, Memphis, Tenn.
Executive Director: Ron Munn, Ohio District Sales Manager, Nissen Corporation

Temporary officers: Milt Davis, Jeff Austin and Ron Munn - 1970

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The United States Trampoline Association became a reality and was officially formed on December 27, 1970 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. An important note to include was the impressive presentation made by Vern Dietrich, Geneva, Ohio arguing why the sport of tumbling should be included in the organization’s constitution. Vern’s impassioned points swayed the membership to agree, and tumbling was included; with the organization changing its name to the United States Trampoline & Tumbling Association.

Vern Dietrich, Geneva, Ohio, presents his arguments - 1970

The new association elected officers, agreed on a year-long schedule of competitions, certification courses for judges and instructors, a newsletter and the debut of the now well-recognized USTA logo-patch.

President - Jeff Austin, Coach at Triton, Illinois
Vice President - Newt Loken, Coach at University of Michigan
Sec-Treasurer - Ron Munn, Columbus, Ohio

Officers of the new U.S.T.A.: Vice-President - Newt Loken,
President - Jeff Austin, Sec-Treasurer - Ron Munn - 1970

Trampoline Track

Note: Later in 1971, the U.S.T.A. announced a change to the concept of the Griswold-Nissen Cup, designating it as an award given to an outstanding single clinic participant rather than serve as the generic name for the age-group competition held during the final days of the clinic.