HONORING ERNA WACHTEL and SANDY OLDHAM
THIS AWARD HONORS THESE TWO ILLINOIS LEGENDS FOR THEIR STATE AND NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS, SERVICE AND PASSION FOR THE SPORT. THESE LEADERS POSSESSED STRENGTH OF CHARACTER AND TENACITY IN PURSUIT OF A COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE.
Erna Wachtel (1907-1995 )was born in Germany and immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 19. She[1] was an American artistic gymnast, coach and judge. Erna won many AAU titles and was named an Honorary Olympic Team member for the Olympic Games that were cancelled due to World War II. Erna became an International Brevet Judge, and was the US Women’s Olympic Team Coach in 1956. Erna taught at the Chicago Park District for 16 years, and In 1974 was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Sandy Oldham (1944-2022) was a Brevet Judge, H.S.Judge, and NCAA Judge who also served as Meet Referee at several NCAA National Championships. Sandy received the USAG Lifetime Achievement Award and was named Coach of the Year while coaching at Palatine H.S. She ran the Il. High School
Girls’ Gymnastics Meet at Palatine H.S. for over 25 years. Sandy was a Clinician for many Congresses and Symposiums and was one of the early inductees into the IHSGGC Hall of Fame.
Click here to download the application for the Illinois Legends Athlete Award