History of GYMNASTICS ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS Awards

In 1967, the American Athletic Equipment Company presented the first “Life Membership” during the first meeting of GAT’s parent organization, GTAT – Gymnastics Teachers Association of Texas. The prestigious Life Membership Award has been presented each year since 1967 to an outstanding Texas leader in gymnastics. It is the most significant award, which may be presented to a Texas Gymnastics person by the Texas gymnastics community. Recipients, over the years, have been public school, collegiate, club, SOKOL, and physical education leaders.

The GAT Awards Committee annually elects one or more persons to the Honorary Life Membership guided by nominations submitted by persons who are currently Life Members.  A continuing ballot is used by the Life Members in their advisory function.  Any person may nominate a worthy Texan for the Life Membership, and once nominated, their name remains on the ballot until they are either elected or they do not receive a first-place vote for two successive years.  Each year the presentation of the Life Membership is a feature of the State GAT “Gathering” in the fall. Since 1975 the award has included a photoengraved plaque along with a permanent membership card.  A distinctive Life Members pin was created in 1982. 

The “Texas Gymnastics Heritage Award,” first presented in 1993,  is awarded to a person or persons who have contributed to the development of gymnastics in Texas by excellence as a competitor, coach, judge, program director, or any other affiliated gymnastics activity in Texas prior to leaving the State of Texas for an extended and distinguished career in the sport elsewhere. This is the second-highest award presented by the Association.


Awards