Rudolph S. Bachna

KENT, Ohio - Rudolph S. “Rudy” Bachna, 92, passed away peacefully at his home on the morning of Saturday, February 20, 2021. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 26, 1928 to Joseph II and Angela Bachna and was a lifetime resident of northeast Ohio.  He was a graduate of Cleveland Lincoln High School and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Kent State University.

Rudy was a legend in the world of gymnastics. He was introduced to the sport by his father and, along with his brothers Alfred, Gilbert and Joe, was active in the Slovak Sokol Gymnastics Program in Cleveland. A childhood accident curtailed his competitive career in the sport but served as the catalyst to a lifetime career of success as a much-loved and respected coach as well as a nationally and internationally recognized ambassador, judge and friend of gymnastics.

Locally he was best-known as the founder and head coach of the Kent State University women’s gymnastics program. Along with his brother Joe and late wife Janet, Rudy brought the sport to campus in 1959 and remained a key figure in the program until his retirement in 1991. The KSU gymnastics teams experienced a great deal of success under his watch. His women’s teams won four Mid-American Conference Championships, four Ohio state titles, made five NCAA Regional appearances and he was named MAC Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1984. During his tenure on campus, he started the popular Children’s Gymnastics Program and created the much-loved “Gymnastics in Motion” program that was attended by thousands of fans over the years.

Rudy’s life in gymnastics connected him to literally thousands of gymnasts, coaches, judges and fans and took him all over the United States and the world. He served as a full-time traveling instructor and director of gymnastics for the Slovak Gymnastics Union Sokol of the USA, he was a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee for Men’s Gymnastics from 1960-1972, the Associate Coach of the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team at the 1960 Rome Olympics and was a judge at the 1959 Pan-American Games and the 1964 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Rudy loved coaching, mentoring young athletes and motivating them to be their best. His passion and dedication to the profession and his caring nature impacted the lives of everyone he touched. He inspired athletes and helped launch the careers of numerous coaches and judges.  In addition to serving as the head coach of both the Kent State Men’s and Women’s Gymnastics Teams, he was also the Head Men’s Soccer Coach for the Golden Flashes from 1963-1972 and proudly accepted a trophy recognizing his coaching achievements presented by his former players at their team reunion in 2019.

A member of the KSU HPERD faculty from 1963-1991, Rudy taught numerous undergraduate courses in physical education – including his popular folk dancing classes – and received the University’s “Distinguished Teaching Award” in 1974. Rudy was inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 and the Kent State Varsity “K” Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

In addition to his Kent State career Rudy was active for many years as an instructor and judge for Dance Masters of America and was instrumental in bringing the DMA Teacher Training School to KSU.  He was very proud of his Slovak heritage and was the founder of the Kent-Dudince Sister Cities Association that promoted the history and heritage of the Slovak culture.

Rudy was a loved and respected “character” and was quick with a story and the accompanying linguistic license!  Following his retirement, he was a fixture at KSU athletics events and rarely missed a home contest in any sport.  He never met a stranger and loved spending time with fellow fans and current student-athletes and coaches at his alma mater.

Preceded in death by his parents, brothers and wife Janet, he is survived by his wife of 27 years, Lynn and son JW Hyatt of Kent.

Per Rudy’s wishes and due to COVID-19 restrictions there will be no calling hours or services. A “Celebration of Life” will be held at a future date when we can all be together to share Rudy stories.

Charitable contributions in Rudy’s memory can be made to the Kent State Women’s Gymnastics Team at https://flashes.givetokent.org/campaign/kent-state-gymnastics/c327601.

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