Jack Beckner
Beckner (right) with Sandra Ruddick in 1956
Personal information
Full nameJohn Gilbert Beckner
Country representedUnited States
Born(1930-06-09)June 9, 1930
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedNovember 16, 2016(2016-11-16) (aged 86)
Studio City, California, U.S.
Height183 cm (6 ft 0 in)
Weight77 kg (170 lb)
DisciplineMen's artistic gymnastics
GymLos Angeles Turners Club
College teamUSC Trojans
Medal record
Representing  United States
Men's artistic gymnastics
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Pan American Games 9 1 1
Total 9 1 1
Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place1955 Mexico CityTeam
Gold medal – first place1955 Mexico CityAll-Around
Gold medal – first place1955 Mexico CityFloor
Gold medal – first place1955 Mexico CityPommel Horse
Gold medal – first place1955 Mexico CityParallel Bars
Gold medal – first place1959 ChicagoTeam
Gold medal – first place1959 ChicagoAll-Around
Gold medal – first place1959 ChicagoVault
Gold medal – first place1959 ChicagoParallel Bars
Silver medal – second place1959 ChicagoHorizontal Bar
Bronze medal – third place1959 ChicagoPommel Horse
Representing USC Trojans
Men's artistic gymnastics
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
NCAA Championships 3 0 0
Total 3 0 0
NCAA Championships
Gold medal – first place1951 Ann ArborParallel Bars
Gold medal – first place1952 BoulderAll-Around
Gold medal – first place1952 BoulderParallel Bars

John Gilbert "Jack" Beckner (June 9, 1930 – November 16, 2016) was an American artistic gymnast, coach and referee. He competed at the 1952, 1956 and 1960 Summer Olympics with the best individual result of seventh place on the vault and horizontal bar in 1956. His elder brother Dick was also part of the 1956 Olympic gymnastics team.[1]

Early life and education

Beckner was born to Lola and Andrew Vernon Beckner. He studied at Los Angeles Valley College and the University of Southern California, graduating in 1953.

Gymnastics and career

While attending USC, Beckner competed for the USC Trojans men's gymnastics team. He was the NCAA Champion in Parallel Bars in 1951 and 1952 and won the 1952 individual All-Around title. After college, Beckner was a member of Los Angeles Turners Club.[2]

Beckner won the individual AAU all-around title in 1956–59. At the 1955 and 1959 Pan American Games he collected 8 gold medals, which remains one of the best achievements for any American athlete.[3][4]

In 1962 he earned a master's degree at the University of Southern California and coached there from 1969 to 1981. Previously he was a PE teacher and gymnastics coach and mentor at Van Nuys Jr High School from 1960 to 1967, then spent a year at Eagle Rock High School before becoming the gymnastics coach at USC. He also acted as the head coach for the 1968 USA gymnastics team for the 1968 Summer Olympics and served as a national and international judge.

Personal life and legacy

He was inducted into the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame (1976), National Gymnastics Judges Association Hall of Fame (1989), USC Hall of Fame (2005) and Los Angeles High Schools Sports Hall of Fame (2011). Beckner was married to Barbara Blaine, they had three children.[4] He died in his sleep aged 86.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Jack Beckner". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on April 18, 2020.
  2. ↑ "Mother of Two Gains Olympic Gym Berth". The Philadelphia Inquirer. April 29, 1956. p. S9. Retrieved November 26, 2023.
  3. 1 2 John G. "Jack" Beckner. legacy.com
  4. 1 2 BECKNER, John “Jack”. usghof.org
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