In 1871, when the Oshkosh Normal School first began, so did the gymnastics program. Physical Education, as we know it today, was termed "gymnastics". The Normal school gymnastics program was modeled after the Dio Lewis system. This system included the use of beanbags, wands, dumbbells, clubs, and hand rings. Social games, dance routines, and music were also emphasized within the Dio Lewis system.


In 1882 the students made an appeal and it was decided to employ a well-trained teacher of the German Turners. The teacher who was hired worked throughout the entire department teaching both men and women. For five years the students and faculty paid his salary. In 1888, the first gymnasium of the system was built. The room was spacious and convenient. With the gymnasium, the Board of Regents assumed the responsibility of supporting the first teacher in the Wisconsin College system.

Students demonstrating gymnastics 1800s-style. 1896-1897
In 1966 the Men's Gymnastics was named an official team sport at UW-Oshkosh. John Schaeffer, first coached this fledgling team consisting of 19 young men. UW-Oshkosh quickly established a state-of-the-art facility including rings, straight bar, floor, and pommel horse equipment. As the young team grew they enjoyed success. Shaeffer stayed with the team for three years.

Men's gynastics team. 1966-1967

In 1969 Ken Allen was named the new head coach. The coaching change brought a new gymnastics era to the team. Allen coached men's gymnastics for the next 23 years. In 1971 he built a gymnastics pit. This pit was the only one of its kind and one of three in the nation. In 1973 the men's gymnastics team won the NAIA National Championship, the first national championship for UW-Oshkosh in any sport! Throughout the years the team went on to win eight NAIA and two NCAA II national championships. The retirement of Allen in 1992 gave way for the team to be removed from UW-O. Progressive women's sports along with lack of competition removed funding for the Men's Gymnastics team in 1993. By this time UW-Oshkosh had the last Men's Gymnastics team in Wisconsin and one of forty left in the nation. In 1993 the team was reduced to being a club sport and even though Allen thought the team would still flourish, it quickly ended. In 1994 all the Men's Gymnastics equipment was sold to various buyers. This was the mark of the end of the team at UW-Oshkosh. During the 28 total years of competition the team amassed a total of 10 National titles making it one of the most successful sports ever in UW-Oshkosh history.

References

Allen, Ken. (1999, March 12). Personal written interview on the history of Men's Gymnastics at The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh.

The Quiver (1897 & 1967).