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ILLINI LEGENDS, LISTS & LORE

Joe Giallombardo

Joe Giallombardo, one of the University of Illinois' greatest gymnasts, won the National AAU tumbling title 72 years ago today. The then 21-year-old Fighting Illini star would have been a shoo-in for the 1940 Summer Olympics that were scheduled for Tokyo, but the games were cancelled due to the start of World War II. Giallombardo is the men's co-record holder with seven individual NCAA event championships. His best event was tumbling, but he was also a talented all-around performer. He served in the Navy during WW II and soon after was offered a job to perform with the Ringling Bros./Barney & Bailey Circus. After retiring from competition, Giallombardo taught at New Trier High School in Chicagoland between 1940 and 1975. While teaching high school, he was very active in judging and served as an official at numerous Big Ten Championship meets. He also judged at several NCAA National Gymnastics Championships. Giallombardo has been the recipient of virtually every award available in his sport. He was awarded the A.R. Rizzuto Award, given to outstanding American Athletes, of any sport, of Italian extraction. In addition, Giallombardo was a recipient of the College Coaches Association Honorary Lifetime Member Award. He is an Inductee into the Illinois High School Gymnastics Coaches Hall of Fame, The Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame and received a special Olympic Judges Diploma at the 20th World Games in Dallas, TX. The ultimate award in gymnastics, the Helms Hall of Fame Award was presented to Giallombardo in 1966. At age 93, he now resides in Plano, Texas.

Illini Birthdays

Sunday Jason Zieren, track & field (35)

Monday Jack Delveaux, football/baseball (73)

Tuesday Dere Hicks, football (23)

Wednesday Arias Davis, basketball (34)

Thursday Kip Pope, swimming (63)

Friday Elbert Turner, football/track & field (42)

Saturday Mark Coomes, basketball coach (58)

By Mike Pearson, Author of Illini Legends, Lists & Lore, Assistant Athletic Director at Miami University