About Jeff T. Hennessy
From: Jeff Hennessy
Subject: Biography: HENNESSY, Jeff
Date: October 12, 2009 2:23:00 PM CDT
To: Jeff Hennessy
HENNESSY, Jeff
Inducted: 1992
Born: October 27, 1929
Most parents take walks and go on picnics with their
children. Jeff Hennessy did these things with his children,
also, but, in addition, he went bouncing with them on a
steady basis. He produced and coached more World and
National trampoline, tumbling, and mini-tramp
champions than anyone in America. The champions
included his daughter, Leigh.
Jeff received his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from
Northwestern State University in Louisiana and matriculated
to the U. Of Louisiana at Lafayette where he taught,
instructed, and coached the Swimming and Gymnastics
teams for 27 years. He was nine-time USA Trampoline Team
Coach in World Championships and took USA teams to
South Africa, Russia, Germany, and Holland. He also
coached AAU teams, intercollegiate athletes, and even Miss
America, Judi Ford. Jeff has served as Director of World
Trampoline Championships, International Judges and
Coaches courses, AAU and Federation Championships, six
National Jr. Olympic Championships, and the community
service trampoline program for children. He has officiated
from London to Japan. Honors: A Trampoline/Tumbling
Scholarship is awarded in his name by U.S.A. Gymnastics,
the national gymnastics governing body (NGB); Accepted as
an honorary member of the Federation International
Gymnastic (FIG), (1999); Honored to be a recipient of the
Safety Award from the American Trampoline and Tumbling
Association, (1992); Inducted into the International
Gymnastic Hall of Fame (IGHOF) formerly the Helms Hall
Gymnastic Hall of Fame (IGHOF) formerly the Helms Hall
of Fame, (1992); Received international Trampoline &
Tumbling Federation’s Lifetime Membership Award, Osaka,
Japan, (1984); American Trampoline and Tumbling
Association Outstanding Coach of the Year, (U. of
Southwestern Louisiana, (1982); Distinguished Professor, U.
of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, LA., (1992); Master of
Trampoline, American Trampoline and Tumbling
Association, (1978); Who’s Who in the Southwest, (1977);
Gift of Honor, presented by the International Trampoline
Federation, (1976); Elected Chairman of the International
Trampoline Federation Technical Committee, (1976);
Inducted into the U.S. Trampoline Association’s Hall of
Fame, (1976); Featured in “Fliffises and Gazip-Gazaps”,
Sports Illustrated, 8th Day, (1970); Received the C.H.
McCloy Research Award for Gymnastics, (1966); Member
of U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Committee, (1965-‘69); First
Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Trampoline Chairman,
(1965). General: Appeared in the Guinness Book of World
Records and reportedly has been featured in more magazines,
publications and newspapers than Donald Trump. Twice, he
was elected Outstanding AAU Coach of the year and was
honored by the German Gymnastic Association for his
extraordinary talent and contributions. Personal: Jeff served
as the United States Sports delegate for the AAU to Winston
Churchill’s funeral. He was an advisor and consultant to
USA Gymnastics, the United States Diving organization, the
International Trampoline Federation, ABC, CBS, the United
States Department of Justice, and Law Firms throughout the
country. Jeff Hennessy has authored more books and
journals about trampoline and springboard diving than John
Grisham has courtroom scenes. His daughter, Leigh, won
two World Championships in Double Mini-Tramp and may
be the leading U. S. title-holder for women in the twisting,
turning, and bouncing sport of trampoline.
Sources: World Acrobatic Society “Legends of Honor”
Newsletter, personal resume, and interviews with his
daughter, Leigh. Introduction, commentary, and formatting
by Larry Banner, Web Manager.
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