Washington State Gymnastics Team
Pacific Northwest Champs-1952 with Jake Monlux (Center in glasses)
*To play show, click sound bar on BOTTOM of this page.
We are honored to present this historic show with a true gentleman from America’s “Greatest Generation” named Jake Monlux from KidsFailedFitness.org. We sought out Jake to help us with our historical studies on back pain prevention, corrective exercise, and classical physical education with the gymnastics focus, but Jake provided much more for us. His passion at age 84 has not diminished for the promotion of LIFE LONG physical activity and vigorous health–and especially for children. Jake and his wonderfully fit wife Marie, who also joined our show, have been active role models in the Seattle, WA area for decades promoting gymnastics, physical education, athletics, and most importantly–hard work and quality character. We can learn a great deal from Jake and Marie and their generation…settle in, stay a while, and learn a lot from the past about how to guide our future away from illness and physical frailty to one of strength and agility with Noble Purpose.
Jake Monlux with his early 1960s Gymnastics Team
“Our family was known for three things: 1-Hard Workers; 2-Character, and 3-Good Athletes…working hard and character were the most important.” -Jake Monlux
Some very key concepts jumped out of our show with Jake and Marie. One is the importance of enough “metabolic” or cardiovascular fitness to prevent the system failure of the human body–or “Movement Disease.” One of biggest weapons for disease prevention is physical fitness! Another was the emphasize on developing character in children through physical education and athletics. Aging well is AGING ACTIVE was another big point. Jake’s website has amazing references–many at the clinical level, so what he talks about on the show can be researched further on the links below.
Jake & Marie Monlux
Historical Comments by Jake Monlux: “Eric Hughes was the coach of the U of Washington Gymnastic team about 1950. The first gymnastic team was formed by my coach Hubert Dunn. Hubert Dunn formed the first gymnastic team in 1947. I become a member of his team in 1951. Our AAU Collegiate meet was held in California between Cal Berkely and USC and Washington State College. The Seattle YMCA hosted another AAU gymnastic meet that also included George Lewis.
George later become the YMCA coach of Joyce Tanic and Dale Fleming both Olympians who helped with my first Pacific Northwest Gymnastic Clinic sponsored by Longview Junior College in Longview, WA in about 1962-65. They were the athletes that handled the blind girls in attendance. The meet at the YMCA included -Horse, Vaulting, Rings, Flying Rings, rope climb, tumbling, free exercise and floor exercise. Hubert is a great coach and gentlemen. Hubert gave over 30 exhibitions while a coach at Washington State College in all the State rural cities that was widely attended. He formed the first national triple hand balancing team. I was the bottom man of that triple hand balancing team and gave exhibitions in numerous cities in Eastern Washington between 1950-1953.”
*During Jake’s era, The University of Washington was formerly called “Washington State College.”
Monlux Twins anchoring pyramid
Contact Jake & Marie Monlux & Kids Failed Fitness:
References:
- Bibliography & References Cited During Show
- Achievement Scales in Physical Education Activities (Neilson & Cozens, 1934)
- The Psoas Book (Koch, 1981)
- Kraus-Weber Test
- Bonnie Prudden
- MET Level Activities (Harvard Health Publications)
- Compendium of Physical Activity METS (Arizona State University & National Cancer Institute)
- Physical Activity: A Vital Health Measure (American College of Sports Medicine)
- Guide to Assessment of Physical Activity (American Heart Association Scientific Statement)
University of Washington Gymnastics History:
