History of Hinsdale Central “Red Devil” Gymnastics

            The tradition is overwhelming from the first glance around Hinsdale Central’s Gymnastics room. The boy’s gymnastics program started in the main gym balcony in 1957 by John E. Schaefer and student coach Tony Canino. In the spring of 1958, a group of students were gathered around Schaefer and Canino and practiced gymnastics skills in the balcony. The following year Canino severed 6 months in the U.S. Army. With Schaefer’s influence, Athletic Director, Harvey Dickinson added gymnastics to the Hinsdale Program. Schaefer was hired as the head gymnastics coach with a fall intramural assignment. He developed the first “team” with a competitive schedule. These first practices were held in the balcony of the main gymnasium. The horizontal bar was used only occasionally on the main floor. In 1959-60 John Schaefer recommended Canino to be his assistant as the sport was in a rapidly growing state. Dickinson so selected the first gymnastics staff. This was the 5^th year that the IHSA held its Gymnastics Championship.

            Schaefer started the Community House Age Group Program (ACRO Imps) which were taught tumbling and trampoline in November of 1959. Phil Thorne assisted. In January 1960, Hinsdale entered the 4^th Annual Northern Illinois Gymnastics Invitational in which Jim Rimbey becoming Hinsdale Gymnastics’ first champion (on pommel horse). HT finished 6^th in the State Championship in only its second year as a sport. 1959 – 60 was also the first year that they won the 1^st Annual Age Group meet. In 1960-61, the Devils’ third season as a team, Hinsdale hosted the 5^th Annual Northern Illinois Invitational, a very prestigious gymnastics meet. It was held just before the State Championship as a preparation or tune up for all Illinois gymnastics competitions.

            In 1965, HC won its first Sophomore Conference championship title. In 1966 Canino went to the new sister school for one year (Hinsdale South). He returned in 1967 to become Central’s head coach as John Schaefer went to the University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh. In 1967 HC won its first Varsity Conference title; Neil Krupicka was the all arounder and MVP of those teams. In 1968 HC won Districts, 1969 HC was 2^nd in State, and in 1970, 71, 72 , 73 HC were State Champions and established as one of the top teams in the state and country.

            In 1971 Canino took a sabbatical leave, and Paul Omi became the interim head coach. Krupicka was hired as his assistant. In 1972, Canino returned to assume his head coach position, Omi resigned and Krupicka became the assistant to his high school coach (Canino).Canino retired from coaching in 1974 as Krupicka became the new head coach.

Harrison Bull was the freshman coach from 1965 to 1985. He was instrumental in the success of getting freshmen involved and keeping them interested. He coached under Schaefer, Canino, Omi and Krupicka.

The Hinsdale Freshman Invitational started in 1962 and was renamed The Harrison Bull Invitational in 1995. The Canino varsity Invitational was established with top notch teams in the state, in 1992. Krupicka hired Mark Wanner, a valuable technician, in 1985 as his assistant. HC Alumni Myles Laffey joined the coaching staff in 1991 to replace Bull as freshman coach and pommel horse coach.

 State team scoring went through a few changes throughout the years. Until 1974, a point system was used. Individuals taking 1^st place in state got 21 points for their team, 2^nd place got 19 pts and so on down to 21^st place scoring 1 pt for the team. Individuals also received a score in whole numbers such as 85 or 78. Tenths of a point replaced the whole number system in 1969. The team that had the most individuals qualify to state had the most chances to earn team points. Hinsdale’s goal was to always have 12 or more seniors on the team and qualify to state to ensure a strong finish. Only 3 gymnasts in any one event could qualify however, which caused problems for such teams as Hinsdale Central who often could qualify 4 or more pommel horse men. But only 3 could advance – hardly fair In 1971. That changed in 1975 when entire teams could advance to state. 3 of 5 gymnastic scores counted, plus the average of the all around score. In 1977 the all around average was eliminated and only best 3 of 5 on each event counted toward the team score... Today the Harrison Bull Freshman Invite retains the old point scoring system to link modern day gymnastics to the past.

Girls became an IHSA sport in 1977. Sandy Meyer was named the first head coach, followed by Julie Schlueter from 1978 - 1979 then Jerilyn Scardina until 1984. Krupicka was appointed the new head coach in 1985 to add to his head boys’ position which solidified the program into a unique system of boys and girls working out together with one head coach directing. The age group program was expanded in 1985 with the HGC under the guidance of Krupicka, and Hinsdale central alumna (wife) Cindy. Recreational age group classes led to Mighty Might’s and then competitive USA gymnastics club athletes in grade school competition prior to entering high school. The complete system was now in place and a one of a kind program was established as a, one-of-a-kind, model of excellence in the state.