Hall of Fame

Ken Allen

Ken Allen

  • Class
  • Induction
    2022
  • Sport(s)
    UW-Oshkosh
Induction Video

(Written: July 2022)


Ken Allen served as UW-Oshkosh’s men’s gymnastics coach from 1969-82 and 84-92, leading the Titans to seven NAIA Championships (1973, 1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982) and three NCAA Division II Championships (1980, 1981, 1982).

UW-Oshkosh also won a pair of conference titles under Allen, who received NCAA Division II Coach of the Year honors three times and NAIA Coach of the Year recognition on five occasions. He coached athletes to 42 NAIA event titles, 23 NCAA Division II event first-place finishes and 13 conference event championships.

Allen was an assistant coach for the USA men’s gymnastics team at the World University Games in 1977, and head coach for the East Team at the National Sports Festival in 1978. In 1983, Allen was an assistant coach for the Switzerland National Team. He was a men’s gymnastics judging assistant for the 1984 and 1996 Olympic Games, as well as a men’s gymnastics judge for the 1985, 1991 and 1997 World Championships.

Allen received the United States Gymnastics Federation Distinguished Service Award in 1987. In 1996, he was the National Association of College Gymnastics Coaches Honor Coach of the Year.

Allen was inducted into the National Gymnastics Judges’ Hall of Fame in 1996, UW-Oshkosh Hall of Fame in 1999 and USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2012, he was selected the WIAC Men’s Gymnastics All-Time Coach in conjunction with the conference’s Centennial Celebration.

Allen earned a bachelor’s degree in physical education and health from Montclair State University (N.J.) and master’s degree in biomechanics from UW-Madison.

He resides in Oshkosh, Wis., with his wife Missy. They have a son David, a daughter Kate, seven grandchildren and a great grandchild.