Gene Wettstone

Eugene "Gene" Wettstone (July 15, 1913 – July 30, 2013), was an American gymnastics coach, known as the "Dean of Collegiate Gymnastics Coaches", for leading Pennsylvania State University to a record nine N.C.A.A. championships in the sport, and for coaching the United States men's teams in the 1948 and 1956 Summer Olympics.[1]

Gene Wettstone
Wettstone in 1946
Biographical details
BornJuly 15, 1913
West Hoboken, New Jersey
DiedJuly 30, 2013(2013-07-30) (aged 100)
State College, Pennsylvania
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1939–1976Penn State
Head coaching record
Overall–– (–)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
9 National Championships (1948, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1976)

Early life

Eugene "Gene" Wettstone was born July 15, 1913 West Hoboken, New Jersey (what is today Union City, New Jersey).[2]

Career

Wettstone took up gymnastics at a Swiss social club and attended the University of Iowa on a gymnastics scholarship. He won Big Ten titles on the pommel horse and the high bar and in the all-around as a senior in 1937. He graduated with bachelor's and master's degrees in physical education.[2]

Wettstone was the head coach of the men's gymnastics team at Pennsylvania State University from 1939 to 1976. He led the Penn State Nittany Lions gymnasts to nine national championships. He also coached the United States men's gymnastics teams at the 1948 and 1956 Summer Olympics.

Wettstone was inducted into the United States Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1963.[2]

Personal life

Wettstone married Eleanor Keen in 1937 in Iowa City.[2]

Wettsone died at age 100 in State College, Pennsylvania, in July 2013.[1][2][3][4]

References
  1. "Eugene Wettstone". United States Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  2. "Gymnastics coaching legend Gene Wettstone dies". Penn State News. July 31, 2013.
  3. Slotnik, Daniel E. (August 2, 2013). "Gene Wettstone, Record-Setting Gymnastics Coach, Dies at 100". The New York Times.
  4. "Gene Wettstone dies at 100". ESPN.com (AP story). August 2, 2013.
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