Dave Wardell
Teaching and Coaching Career
After graduating from the University of Colorado in August of 1963 with a degree in Physical Education, I began my teaching and coaching career at Aurora Hinkley High School from 1963-1968. Our family moved to Manhattan, KS to purse a MS Degree in P.E. at Kansas State University. In 1969, I took over the Head Coaching position in Gymnastics and taught various Physical Education subjects at K-State until 1972. I also grew a gymnastics age group club form 8 kids to 500 kids (we were the only gymnastics club in town!)
Our best finish at K-State was second in the Big Eight conference behind the national champions, Iowa State, coached by Ed Gagnier.
In 1972, I got a call from Fred Murphy at CU to come back and teach P.E. and coach the men’s gymnastics team. I coached from 1972 to 1975 and then moved again to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City to pursue a PhD in Sports Psychology and Sports Sociology.
Two years later, with degree completed, I returned to CU to teach both Sports Psychology and Sports Sociology at the undergraduate and graduate level. The head gymnastics coach at that time was Sid Freudenstein. A few years later in l977, gymnastics was cut from the Athletic Department at CU along with five other “minor” sports.
Just a historical note that the modern era of competitive gymnastics in Colorado was started by four men, graduates of UNC. These were the real heroes: Don Robinson, Louis Baretta, Mike Larsen, and Grady Matthews. Art White also had a big hand in developing some of the best high school gymnastics champions the state has ever known. Also Doug Dewitt, coach at Denver University had the strongest college team of gymnasts ever assembled in the State. We owe these men, and others not mentioned a debt of gratitude for revolutionizing the sport of gymnastics in Colorado.

Ministry Career
In 1985 – 1991, I was privileged to be a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes as an area director and then State director in Colorado. In 1991, CU Football Coach Bill McCartney and I co-founded the international men’s ministry of Promise Keepers. I was blessed to be a part of an incredible ministry to men until retirement in January of 2007.

Personal
I married Carolyn Carson (whom I had known since 7th grade) in July of 1963. We had our first son Jeffrey in May of 1968 and a second son, Eric, in February of 1970. After 34 years, we moved from Boulder, Colorado in 2006 to a Del Webb community in Broomfield, Colorado where we enjoy a very active retirement and visits from and to our grandkids (Eric’s children), Evan, 8 and twins Daniel and Ellah, 4, who live in Eagle, Colorado. I still enjoy hunting frequently and fishing occasionally.

I look forward to seeing everyone at the “Golden Era” Gymnastics Reunion in August!


I'm betting Terry Truman has the rest of the DU Invitational photos from 64,65 and 66 and maybe beyond that. Once they're here I'll get them posted. And I'm still waiting for more team, action and winner's stand photos from the rest of you.

DU INVITATIONAL - 1966

STILL RINGS: Pat Edwards Fairview 1st, Tom Proulx Fairview 2nd, Chuck O'Shea Ranum 3rd, Green Lincoln 4th, Carey Wasson 5th, Dave Mawhorter Aurora Central 6th

VAULT: Tom Proulx Fairview 1st, Rich Tew Palmer (?) 2nd, Rich Murahata Fairview 3rd, Dana Shelly Ranum 4th, Dave Rodriguez Golden 5th
PARALLEL BARS: Pat Edwards Fairview 1st, Ken Macaulay Fairview 2nd, Tom Proulx Fairview 3rd, Smith Ranum 4th, Mike Larson Aurora Central 5th, Ed Klanecky Aurora Central 6th
SIDE HORSE: Pat Edwards Fairview 1st, Day Ranum 2nd, Mike Triantos Fairview 3rd, Krogman Wasson 4th, Taylor Aurora Central 5th, Lucas (?) 6th

DU INVITATIONAL - 1965

ALL AROUND: Eric Singer Fairview 1st, Terry Truman Aurora Central 2nd, Shortt (?) 3rd, Paul Fallico (?) 4th, Boyce Lincoln 5th

FLOOR EX: Dennis Berg Ranum 1st, Terry Truman Aurora Central 2nd, Tom Proulx Fairview 3rd, Doug Watkins Ranum 4th, Doug Boger Lincoln 5th

TEAM CHAMPION: Fairview: Tom Proulx, Pat Edwards, Eric Singer, Coach Art White, Kirk Rose, Rich Murahata

DU INVITATIONAL - 1964

STILL RINGS: Bob Mullins Aurora Hinkley 1st, Ron Staadt Aurora Central 2nd, Stanley Aurora Central 3rd, Eric Singer Fairview 4th, Dale West 5th


Maybe I can motivate Recruitment with a little competition. Here's where attendance currently stands:
HIGH SCHOOLS:
Fairview: 10
Aurora Central: 6
Lincoln: 6
North: 4
COLLEGES:
CU: 11
DU: 7
CSU: 4
UNC: 3

Now all of my records may not be totally accurate so look at the list of attenders in the left-hand column and let me know of any corrections or additions. And as I've been adding these photos lots of names come to mind: Del Strange, Fallico, Stout, Fulcher, Fushimi, O'Shea, Watkins, Berg, Casey... some of you must have ideas on how to get in contact with them - we're down to about 6 weeks.


Larry Hoffschneider
(when I post pics it seems to motivate guys to get their bios in)












Larry was co-captain of CU's Championship team (note his and Ryan's arms!)




Jim Fulcher (see below - 2nd in Floor Ex) was the KIMN chicken during the 70's and 80's and of course we all remember KIMN - the source of all our rock & roll memories with Hal Baby Moore!

Du Invitational - 1963

(Where would we have been without Doug giving away all these medals for all these years? Do you think it had anything to do with his recruiting strategy?)
Long Horse: Bobby Fisher TJ 1^st, McCormick South 2^nd, Terry Truman Aurora 3^rd, Dominick Rose Fairview 4^th, Rich Nadeau Lincoln 5^th

Tumbling: Bobby Fisher TJ 1^st, Terry Truman Aurora 2^nd, Phil Ballenski Aurora 3^rd, Jim Fulcher South 4th, Jim Barber Aurora 5^th

Trampoline: Mike Gurian Lincoln 1^st, Rich Nadeau Lincoln 2^nd, Bobby Fisher TJ 3^rd, Norm Bishop Palmer 4^th, Ty Stout East 5^th
Side Horse: Jack Ryan Aurora 1^st, Dave Boland Fairview 2^nd, Jeff Baird Aurora 3^rd, Bobby Fisher TJ 4^th, Digiacomo North 5^th

High Bar: Rich Nadeau Lincoln 1^st, Norm Bishop Wasson 2^nd, Pat Fushimi North 3^rd, Dooley Lincoln 4^th, Duncan, McAndrew both East tied for 5^th

Free Exercise: Bobby Fisher TJ 1^st, Jim Fulcher South 2^nd, Jim Barber Aurora 3^rd, Terry Truman Aurora 4^th, Terry Toole Wasson 5^th

All Around: Bobby Fisher TJ 1^st, Rich Nadeau Lincoln 2^nd, Jim Lamp Lincoln 3^rd, Terry Truman Aurora 4^th, Jon Malander East 5^th