BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Ron Froehlich of Birmingham, Ala., chairman emeritus of the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors, auditor for the International Gymnastics Federation and the honorary life president of the International World Games Association, has been named an Alabama Sports Hall of Fame Distinguished American Sportsman for 2015. The induction ceremony for the 2015 class is Saturday, May 16, 2015, at the Sheraton Birmingham Hotel.
A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Froehlich moved to Birmingham in 1976 and brought the World Trampoline and Tumbling Championships to the city in 1988. He played a major role in securing the 2021 World Games, a multi-disciplinary sport event that showcases non-Olympic sports and is held every four years, for the city.
Froehlich served as chairman of the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors from 2001-08 and was named chairman emeritus. He was president of the International Trampoline Federation when the FIT became part of the International Gymnastics Federation and trampoline was added to the Olympic sports program. He also was a member of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Program Committee (2002-14) and was awarded the IOC’s Olympic Order in 2010.
From 1992-2014, he served as president of the International World Games Association (IWGA), which organizes the World Games. He was named the IWGA’s honorary life president.
He joins an impressive list of past Distinguished American Sportsmen that includes: Don Logan (2011), Rick Woodward (2010), Nick Bollettieri (2009), Joseph Gibbs (2008), Michael E. Stephens (2006), Jim Wilson Jr. (2005), Roy Kramer (2003), Bill Ireland (2000), Larry D. Striplin, Jr. (1998), Charles O. Finley (1993), Former President George H. Bush (1992), Hugh Culverhouse (1991) and Bob Hope (1988).
— Information source is al.com.