In the Lifetime Achievement category, FRANK BARE has earned a position of honor through his leadership in all aspects of the sport. During his long and illustrious presence on the national and international stage, Frank Bare has competed as an athlete, and served as a coach, a judge, an administrator and, most important, as a visionary.

Frank Bare began gymnastics at the Northside YMCA and soon was attending the University of Illinois, under famed coach Charlie Pond. As a sophomore in 1952, Bare won the first of his two Big Ten pommel horse titles. Before his collegiate career was finished, he became the NCAA Champion on the event. His bright ideas and cheerful demeanor were already being noticed, as he was voted "Outstanding Senior of the Class of 1954," the year he graduated from the university.

In January, 1963, Frank Bare became the executive director of the fledgling United States Gymnastics Federation (USGF). Originally operated from his kitchen and then the carport, the USGF took root and began to grow under Bare's leadership. He enlisted former athletes, coaches and colleagues to waged a creative and spirited campaign to develop the USGF into an organization primed and ready to represent the United States at the highest levels of international sport. That goal was achieved in 1970, when the USGF moved to new offices and was officially recognized as the U.S. representative to the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG).

Frank Bare is credited with coordinating the rapid growth of U.S. gymnastics. He led the sport during the explosion of interest after the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, staging record-setting tours of Olga Korbut and Nadia Comaneci.

In recent years, Frank Bare's leadership as chairman of the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame has again, demonstrated his talent for elevating the sport by fostering the growth of what is perhaps the world's first truly international hall of fame.

For this lifetime of leadership, innovation, contribution and vision, Frank Bare is inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1999, exemplifying the category of Lifetime Achievement.