William Bonsall

William A. Bonsall was inducted into the inaugural College of Applied Human Sciences Hall of Fame in 2025. He was previously inducted into the College of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences Hall of Fame in 1991 and later recognized as an Outstanding Alumnus in 2009.

Born in Philadelphia in 1923, Bonsall developed his passion for gymnastics while attending Bartram High School, where he competed on the school’s first gymnastics team in 1939. He enrolled at Penn State University in 1942 and was a member of the Nittany Lions’ NCAA championship gymnastics team that year before leaving to serve in World War II.

Bonsall enlisted in the U.S. Army and landed at Normandy on D-Day. He was later captured and held as a prisoner of war before escaping into Poland, where he remained protected by the underground until the war’s end. He returned to Penn State, earning his degree and continuing his decorated gymnastics career. He won NCAA gold medals on rings (1946) and vault (1948), and earned silver in the all-around (1948). He also earned a silver medal in gymnastics at the 1948 Olympic Games and served as team captain his senior year.

In 1950, Bonsall moved to Morgantown and joined the School of Physical Education at WVU as an instructor and became the University’s first gymnastics coach. Over the next three decades as a coach, he built a respected program known for both athletic success and academic integrity. His teams won three Southern Conference titles and placed fifth nationally in 1963. 

Bonsall also played a key role in expanding access and participation in physical activity. He founded the Special Olympics program of West Virginia in 1963 and served as director of WVU’s intramural sports program for seven years.

He was named United States Gymnastics Federation Coach of the Year in 1980 and was inducted into the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1983 and the West Virginia All-Sports Hall of Fame in 1988. He also received the Ray O. Duncan Award for his contributions to teaching and service.

Bonsall and his wife, Jean, later became co-owners of Paige Creations, a leading postcard distribution business in West Virginia.