Wednesday, January 4, 2012

NCAA MEN'S GYMNASTICS ALUMNI On FaceBook

Don't know how many of you are on Facebook but there is a group called NCAA MEN'S GYMNASTICS ALUMNI that currently has about a thousand members but is looking for more.  You can find it under search. I would encourage you to look at  it and consider joining if it's of interest to you. (I think you can just click on the above name and it will take you there.)

I still have a number of videos of the reunion that I'll send to anyone who is interested and I mean anyone.  You didn't have to attend of even be part of the "golden oldies" group.  If you're just on this website and would like the video contact me at the info on the website.
Thanks,
Pat

Tony Rossi

Anthony Maria Rossi

Date of Birth:

Friday, August 17th, 1917

Date of Death:

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Funeral Home:

Allnutt Funeral Service
650 West Drake Road
FORT COLLINS, Colarado, UNITED STATES
80526

Obituary:

Tony Rossi was born August 17, 1917 in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Italian immigrant parents and one of eight brothers and sisters. Growing up, Tony frequented the local YMCA and developed his love for gymnastics.
With the escalation of World War II, Tony enlisted. He served as a bombardier on a B-17, and was shot down over Germany in 1944. He spent a year-and-a-half in several POW camps across Germany. To keep mentally and physically active while a POW, Tony would build high bars and practiced his giant swings daily.
After the war, Tony received his Bachelors’ degree from NYU and in 1948 moved to Greeley, Colorado to complete his Masters’ degree at what was then the Colorado State College of Education (now the University of Northern Colorado). While going to graduate school he found the love of his life, Marianne Cawley. They were married August 24, 1949.
Tony became an instructor of health and physical education at UNC where he served with distinction for 34 years and retired as Professor Emeritus in 1983. While at the University, he also implemented one of the first athletic training programs in the country and over the course of his career served as athletic trainer for all college sports.
In addition to his love for Marianne and his three children, Tony’s true passion remained with gymnastics. He led his UNC gymnasts to a number of individual awards and team championships. He himself received multiple Coach of the Year honors and was inducted into both the UNC Athletic Hall of Fame and the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Students and student athletes from across three decades remember Tony and his impact on their lives. His most cherished recognition came from students. His house became a safe harbor for students and many remember Tony for his home cooked spaghetti dinners.
Tony’s love of country and dedication to military service also remained strong throughout his life. He continued to serve in the Air Force Reserves, and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in 1977.
Tony was preceded in death by six of his eight siblings and by his second child, Ricky. He is survived by his wife Marianne and sister Dorothy. Also surviving him are daughter Roxanne, son Michiel and their spouses, and three grandchildren: Michael, Jonathan and Sarah. More than anything, his family remembers him as a loving husband and father, doting grandfather, and dedicated family man.
 In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Tony Rossi Kinesiology and Physical Education Scholarship Fund, Saint Peter Catholic Church of Greeley, or Hospice and Palliative Care of Northern Colorado in care of Allnutt Funeral Service, 702 13th Street, Greeley, CO 80631.