1972 (April 27) Midwest State Athletic Directors Tour Nissen Plant & Congrats to Chet Phillips NCAA Honor Coach of the Year!

"Nissen's - - It's a great place to work!"

1964 (October) A Visit from the U.S. Naval Academy & The 1st International Trampoline Clinic

     Chet Phillips, head gymnastics coach at the United States Naval Academy, along with his assistant coach Tom Darling, stopped by the Nissen Corporation this month
for a visit with their good friend George Nissen.

     Even though my father George Nissen (attending the University of Iowa), and Chester Phillips (attending Temple University), competed against each other during their college years, the two always remained good friends. One benefit of that friendship came about in June 1964, when my father hired Chet’s son Tim Phillips, for the position of Nissen's Eastern Regional Manager.   
                                                                                                                              

THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRAMPOLINE CLINIC 

      Coming in on the heels of the First World Trampoline Championships (March 1964) was the First International Trampoline Clinic. Held at Crystal Place National Recreation Center, London England (October 22 -25, 1964) the clinic introduced several significant events:

     Previous to this clinic, for trampoline athletes around the world, sharing training techniques and learning new skills was limited to having access to visiting teams. This clinic, attended by a mix of coaches and athletes representing twelve countries was visible evidence of the positive effects that the newly formed International Trampoline Federation (I.T.F.) was having on the world of trampoline.

     There was the presentation and film by an instructor from St. Vincent's School for the Blind, showing their use of trampoline with blind students. Students at St. Vincent's begin using the trampoline at 11-years of age and the school credits the trampoline with improving student's confidence, posture, agility and ease of motor function. Following the film, Joe Senior, a twelve year old blind student demonstrated several basic skills. Then to the delight of everyone present, one of the clinic coaches quickly taught Joe to perform a front somersault from feet to feet!  Although trampolines have been a fixture at many schools for the handicapped since the late 1950's, this was the first time documented feedback was shared internationally. 

 (At the bottom of this blog I included a unique 1960 Nissen print ad promoting the use of trampoline for the blind.)

    

    Finally, the clinic's Course Director was non-other than University of Iowa graduate and World Professional Trampoline Champion, George Hery! 

Page 2 - - catching up on the big "Nissen family" news, gossip and photos of the gang!

Nissen Trampoline Company (June 1960), print ad describing the benefits of trampoline for the blind. 

"Nissen's...it's a great place to work!"

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1964 (August 13) A Parade of Visitors: Trampoline Clowns, Gymnasts & V.I.P.s

With all the newsy-news, parties and practical jokes reported in this August 1964, newsletter, you'd think everyone at the Nissen Corporation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was taking it easy!  

Not so.

Trampolines and gymnastics equipment continued to ship out to destinations around the world and 

V.I.P.'s continued to drop-by with their own "special orders."

The flexibility came by way of George Nissen's easy-going management style that encouraged a friendly cooperative workplace. Nissen's was truly one big happy family!

     The photo above captures a couple of familiar fellows. Elite-level gymnastics coach Dick Zuber, who went on to become Education Director for the Nissen Corporation. Then there is Tim Phillips, former outstanding gymnast at Temple University who joined Nissen's to handle the East Coast Sales. I've included a special photo below of Tim and his father Chet Phillips; a well-respected champion and coach.

     As a young twelve year old girl, my biggest bragging rights at school were not only that I was on a first name basis with champion gymnasts and trampolinists... but, that real Ringling Brothers Circus clowns stopped by our home to visit! Every summer various circus acts made a side trip to the factory and hauled in an assortment of homemade contraptions. Besides providing repairs, my father even arranged to have their equipment dipped into the chroming tanks for a shiny finish! 

     One of my favorite clown-friends was Cucciolo, a famous little person who performed a comedy trampoline act. He came to the U.S. from Italy, and even had a featured appearance in the 1952 film, "The Greatest Show on Earth." Cucciolo was greatly respected by his fellow artists and following his death in 1984, received a plaque on the Circus Ring of Fame in St. Arman's Circle, Sarasota, Florida.     

     Standing with Dick Zuber and Bus Klinge in a photo below is Ron Froehlich, from South Africa. He, along with Olle Aerborn and Ron Munn, were instrumental in the development of trampolining in South Africa including the 

South Africa Federation of Amateur Trampoline. 

Currently, Ron Froehlich holds the honor of President of International World Games Association. (I.W.G.A.). 

George Hery was also a popular guy at Nissen's, and we can see why!

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"Nissen's - - it's a great place to work!"