Temple University Athletics
GREATEST AMERICAN GYMNAST COMING TO TEMPLE UNIVERSITY ON SATURDAY
3.22.02 | Men's Gymnastics
If you have not heard of Clara Lomady, you are not the only one. Find an American gymnast from the 1940's and 50's, however, and they will tell you exactly who she is. Lomady won 39 national championships during those two decades. She holds the career record for national titles, easily. Next in line are Frank Cumiskey and George Wheeler, both claiming 25 national championships. Her name is printed in indelible ink in the Guinness Book of Women's Sports Records.
Lomady will be presenting the Eastern College Athletic Conference team championship trophy on Saturday at McGonigle Hall. She will be joined in the presentation by Steve McCain, a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic Team and four World Championship squads.
"Clara is a treasure, plain and simple," said Temple men's gymnastics coach Fred Turoff. "A person would never know her accomplishments just by talking to her."
Born October 5, 1920, Lomady grew up in Philadelphia at Cottman and Castor Avenues. She attended Frankford High School, where she earned a scholarship to the Philadelphia Turners Gymnastics Club. The Turners trained at the Philadelphia Turgemeinde Building, which later became Temple's South Hall. South Hall played host to Temple sporting events, including basketball from 1951-68. The building was demolished in the early 1970's.
At Philadelphia Turners, Lomady trained under Gus Heineman. Her best event, among many, was the balance beam, where she captured 11 consecutive national championships from 1941-51.
In addition to her success in the states, Lomady was a member of two United States Olympic teams. She competed in the 1948 games, held in London, England and at the 1952 games, held in Helsinki, Finland. The 1948 team captured bronze. Individual event medals were not presented in those days. If they were, Lomady would surely have more hardware to share with her grandchildren.
"I'm nothing special, just a normal person who happened to be good at gymnastics," said Lomady when questioned about her accomplishments. "Things are different in gymnastics these days; a girl has to dedicate her life to be successful. Back then, I worked a nine to five job as a secretary and trained in the evenings. When competitions came around, I trained on the weekends as well."
Lomady resides in Abington, Pa., with her husband of 50 years, "Fuzz." The couple are the proud parents of four children and have 16 grandchildren.
The ECAC Championships are being held Saturday and Sunday, March 23-24 at McGonigle Hall. Competition begins at 3:00 p.m. on both days. Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchased at the door.
