Former gymnasts celebrate Russ Telecky’s career

CEDAR RAPIDS - It was a magical day.

We surprised our former gymnastics coach, Russ Telecky, by inviting his former gymnasts from Cedar Rapids Washington High School and the Cedar Rapids Association of Gymnastics, which he and his wife Kathy started.

The gymnasts spanned more than 40 years, some still in high school and others in their 60s.

It was remarkable how many people made it back to celebrate this event.

Telecky was not just another coach. He expected a lot from his gymnasts. He demanded excellence and he got it. He was tough and he prepared us for life's many lessons.

There also were many state championships under his watch.

Bob Shepherd (my brother) had the idea to celebrate our former coach, so he and I started planning a gymnastics reunion. I started a private Facebook group called 'Former Gymnasts of Russ Telecky” and let people invite others. We had 130 people in the private group, found others not on Facebook and ended up with 68 at the party on Oct. 8.

Kathy Telecky, his wife, was in on the surprise, which made it even better.

There were people from all over the United States - including Denise Buchheister, who flew back from Hawaii - and we also found some people who are living in other countries. Some former gymnasts who were unable to make it back mailed letters we gave to Coach on this special day.

Telecky was in total shock when we yelled 'surprise.” You could see his mind trying to figure out what was actually going on. We had to tell him who we were and that we were here to celebrate him as our coach.

Some people had not seen Russ for more than 40 years.

The event also happened to coincide with Russ and Kathy's wedding anniversary.

People brought memorabilia from way back. There were old team leotards, books with scores from gymnastic meets in the 1970s, banners that were hung during meets, pictures, scrapbooks and more. One person made DVDs for Coach that included film from the state gymnastic meet in 1972. Another made up a poem with memories she received from all of us. There was a video tribute made that day with heartfelt thoughts on what Coach meant to us, as well as stories from years ago.

One of my favorite stories was when Coach would select one rookie from each season and have them hold on to a rope by the trampoline. The seasoned veterans would get a kick watching how long the 'rookie” would hold on to the rope, considering it wasn't attached to anything. Some held that rope for a very long time, afraid to put it down or ask why they were holding it. They would feel foolish after the fact, but didn't want to defy Coach Telecky.

We all had a bond we shared, even if we hadn't met the person before that day. The older gymnasts made sure we told the younger ones how good they had it since Coach was older and had gotten 'softer” with age. Coach Telecky said he was very tough on us and felt bad about it. But most of us wouldn't have it any other way.

I have planned a lot of events in my life. but this was the most memorable one yet.