Jeff Hennessy
Encyclopedia
Jeff Hennessy was the United States trampoline
team coach from 1964 to 1980. During this period, he coached more trampoline and double mini-tramp world and national champions than any other person in the United States. In total, his athletes were awarded 26 world championship medals and numerous national and regional titles and medals.
Hennessy was an associate professor of physical education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
in Lafayette, Louisiana
(then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana) from 1959 to 1986, as well as the director of the university’s gymnastics and trampoline programs.
As a coach, he led the U.S. team to World Championships in the 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1978, and 1980. He was also the U.S. team coach for the Ennia Gold Cup Championships in Holland in 1981, as well as tours of South Africa in 1969, 1974, 1979, and 1981; the Soviet Union in 1974 (first U.S. team to complete in the Soviet Union) and 1977; and Germany in 1974.
The University of Southwestern Louisiana gymnastics team was undefeated in 1960 and 1961. The trampoline team was National AAU
Trampoline Team Champions from 1964 to 1975 and from 1979 to 1981, and was National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
(NAIA) National Trampoline Team Champions in 1969.
Among the most accomplished of Hennessy’s athletes were his daughter and world champion Leigh Hennessy
, world champion and 1984 Olympic diving medalist Ron Merriott, world champion Stuart Ransom, national champion and 1969 Miss America Judith Ford
, world champion Jim Yongue, world champion Don Waters, world champion Gary Smith
, and world champion Wayne Miller.
Trampoline
A trampoline is a device consisting of a piece of taut, strong fabric stretched over a steel frame using many coiled springs. People bounce on trampolines for recreational and competitive purposes....
team coach from 1964 to 1980. During this period, he coached more trampoline and double mini-tramp world and national champions than any other person in the United States. In total, his athletes were awarded 26 world championship medals and numerous national and regional titles and medals.
Hennessy was an associate professor of physical education at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, or UL Lafayette, is a coeducational, public research university located in Lafayette, Louisiana, in the heart of Acadiana...
in Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette, Louisiana
Lafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
(then named the University of Southwestern Louisiana) from 1959 to 1986, as well as the director of the university’s gymnastics and trampoline programs.
As a coach, he led the U.S. team to World Championships in the 1964, 1965, 1967, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1974, 1978, and 1980. He was also the U.S. team coach for the Ennia Gold Cup Championships in Holland in 1981, as well as tours of South Africa in 1969, 1974, 1979, and 1981; the Soviet Union in 1974 (first U.S. team to complete in the Soviet Union) and 1977; and Germany in 1974.
The University of Southwestern Louisiana gymnastics team was undefeated in 1960 and 1961. The trampoline team was National AAU
Amateur Athletic Union
The Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
Trampoline Team Champions from 1964 to 1975 and from 1979 to 1981, and was National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
(NAIA) National Trampoline Team Champions in 1969.
Among the most accomplished of Hennessy’s athletes were his daughter and world champion Leigh Hennessy
Leigh Hennessy
Leigh Hennessy was raised in Lafayette, Louisiana. She holds the record, according to the Guinness World Records, for winning the most US national championships for women. She has more recently had a career as an actress and stunt performer in the U.S...
, world champion and 1984 Olympic diving medalist Ron Merriott, world champion Stuart Ransom, national champion and 1969 Miss America Judith Ford
Judith Ford
Judi Nash [née Judith Anne Ford] is a retired teacher who was Miss America 1969. Ford qualified to compete in the Miss America pageant by winning first the title of Miss Boone County and then the Miss Illinois pageant...
, world champion Jim Yongue, world champion Don Waters, world champion Gary Smith
Gary Smith
Gary Smith may refer to:* Gary Smith , long-time writer for Sports Illustrated* Gary Smith , entrepreneur, record producer, and artist's manager...
, and world champion Wayne Miller.
Achievements and awards
- World Acrobatics Society Legends Hall of Fame, 2005
- “Jeff T. Hennessy Trampoline and Tumbling Scholarship" established by USA GymnasticsUSA GymnasticsUnited States of America Gymnastics or USAG is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The mission of USA Gymnastics is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of gymnastics....
, 2003 - Federation International Gymnastics (FIG) Honorary Member, 1999
- USA GymnasticsUSA GymnasticsUnited States of America Gymnastics or USAG is the national governing body for gymnastics in the United States. The mission of USA Gymnastics is to encourage participation and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of gymnastics....
Hall of Fame, 1996 - International Gymnastics Hall of Fame, 1992
- International Trampoline Federation Lifetime Membership Award, 1984
- American Trampoline and Tumbling Association Outstanding Coach of the Year, 1982
- University of Southwestern Louisiana Distinguished Professor, 1982
- U.S. Trampoline Association Hall of Fame 1976
- Jeff Hennessy Day by Mayoral proclamation in Lafayette, LouisianaLafayette, LouisianaLafayette is a city in and the parish seat of Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, United States, on the Vermilion River. The population was 120,623 at the 2010 census...
, 1974 - Amateur Athletic UnionAmateur Athletic UnionThe Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
Outstanding Coach of the Year, 1970 and 1972 - Member of the United States Olympic CommitteeUnited States Olympic CommitteeThe United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit organization that serves as the National Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee for the United States and coordinates the relationship between the United States Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency and various...
for Gymnastics, 1965-1969 - United States delegate for the Amateur Athletic UnionAmateur Athletic UnionThe Amateur Athletic Union is one of the largest non-profit volunteer sports organizations in the United States. A multi-sport organization, the AAU is dedicated exclusively to the promotion and development of amateur sports and physical fitness programs.-History:The AAU was founded in 1888 to...
to Winston Churchill's funeral, 1965 - Professional consultant for United States Diving Inc. on trampoline safety and skill performance, ABC Television, CBS Television, United States Department of JusticeUnited States Department of JusticeThe United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
on trampoline safety, United States Gymnastics Safety Association, International Trampoline Federation, and USA Trampoline and Tumbling on safety and coaching techniques.
Books
- The Trampoline As I See It (International Publications of Lafayette, 1969)
- Trampolining (William C Brown, 1968)
- A Successful Guidebook of Twisting Single and Multiple Somersaults (2007)