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New Niles West Gymnastics Facility Scores a 10
Athletic Training Center dedicated by Bart Conner, former coach John Burkel.
Niles West High School welcomed its favorite son, Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Bart Conner, as well as the man who could be called the father of Niles West gymnastics, former coach John Burkel, to its brand-new, state-of-the-art athletic training center Friday morning. The pair, who first met when Conner was 10 years old, officially dedicated the $3 million, 15,000 square foot gymnastics gym that Burkel said is the finest high school facility in the United States. For more: Photo gallery of Conner, Burkel, ceremony He should know, having remained active in the gymnastics world after coaching at Niles West from 1963-1994. He now lives in South Carolina. Conner got foundation at Niles West Conner, a 1976 Niles West graduate who …
carolyn zembron
1:17 pm on Monday, September 5, 2011
Thank you Bart Conner and Coach John Burkel for your generosity to Niles West High School. Your legacy will live on forever and all youngsters who love gymnastics will never forget what you did to encourage this sport. You are Morton Grove's true treasures. Sincerely, Carolyn Zembron more ›