Aug. 25, 2003
Champaign, Ill. - Seven individuals, including former Illini Charles Lakes, were inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame at a ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 23. The ceremony took place in conjunction with the World Gymnastics Championships, held Aug. 16-24 at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.
"The USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame class of 2003 represents some of the most dynamic, successful, and supportive personalities in the sport of gymnastics," said USA Gymnastics President Bob Colarossi. "USA Gymnastics is honored to be associated with these individuals, and to have benefited from their contributions to the sport."
Lakes is one of the most decorated gymnasts in Fighting Illini history. He was the 1984 NCAA High Bar Champion and was a three-time All-America and six-time All-Big Ten selection. He is the only gymnast in Illinois history to earn a perfect 10.0, achieving the score on the high bar in 1985. He also holds the school's best-ever all-around score of 58.35.
In 1988, Lakes became the first black American gymnast to compete in the Olympics and was the top American finisher in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea. He was a member of the 1985 and 1987 World Championships teams as well. He later went on to win gold on the floor exercise at the 1988 U.S. National Championships. Lakes is a native of Newhall, Calif., and currently resides in Granada Hills, Calif.
Other individuals inducted into the Hall of Fame along side Lakes were Olympians Shannon Miller, Jaycie Phelps, Scott Keswick, and Chris Waller, and Trampoline and Tumbling's Bonnie Davidson and Harold Holmes, Jr.
Induction into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon an individual in the gymnastics community. The Hall of Fame seeks to recognize the sport's top athletes, coaches and contributors for their lifelong dedication to the development of the sport of gymnastics in the United States.
In order to be considered for the Hall of Fame, athlete nominees must have been retired for a period of five years, have been an Olympic, Pan American, World University or World Championships team member, and a National Champion or a National Collegiate Champion.
