Abraham Israel GROSSFELD

Abie Grossfeld competed at the 1955, 1959, and 1963 Pan American Games, setting a US record, likely never to be bettered, of winning 20 medals and 14 gold medals. He is fourth all-time (through 2015) in number of medals and gold medals at the Pan Ams. Grossfeld also starred at the Maccabiah Games, winning six gold medals in 1953, seven in 1957, and four gold medals in 1965, for 17 golds in all. Grossfeld started out as a cyclist as a youth, winning two titles in the US Junior Olympics in 1949-50. He then turned to gymnastics and eventually competed at the University of Illinois, winning seven Big 10 titles and four NCAA titles between 1957-59. He was also AAU Champion on the horizontal bar in 1955-57 and 1961.

After the 1963 season, Grossfeld turned full-time to coaching, and after one year at the US Coast Guard Academy, he spent 41 years at Southern Connecticut State University. He coached D-2 NCAA Championship teams in 1973, 1975, and 1976. He coached international teams for the USA, starting as an assistant at the 1964 Olympics, and eventually serving as a head coach at the 1972, 1984, and 1988 Olympics. He also coached the USA team at the World Championships in 1966, 1981, 1983, 1985, and 1987. Grossfeld coached internationally over a 28-year span, into the 1990s. He also served as a gymnastics judge at all levels for over 50 years. Grossfeld was married to Muriel Davis-Grossfeld, who competed in gymnastics at the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics, although they later divorced.