BOARD of DIRECTORS
International Institute for Sport
and Olympic History
Mr. Harvey L. Abrams, President
Born in Philadelphia, PA and educated at Central High School (BA 1967, class of 226), Pennsylvania State University (BS 1971), Southeast Missouri State University (MAT 1979), Pennsylvania State University (Ph.D/abd). Mr. Abrams is a Health and Physical Education teacher with a specialty in History of Sport. He has taught in public schools including Hempfield HS (Landisville, PA), Neshaminy HS (Langhorne, PA), the John F Kennedy School (West Berlin, Germany), State College public schools (State College, PA), Penns Valley public schools (Spring Mills, PA) and Bellefonte public schools (Bellefonte, PA). He taught and coached wrestling at Southeast Missouri State University and Pennsylvania State University. A letterman in wrestling at Penn State (1968-71) he tried out for the US Olympic freestyle wrestling team four times placing 2nd (1972) and 4th (1976) in qualifying tournaments. United States representative to the International Olympic Academy (IOA) in Greece, 1981. A FILA referree, founder of the Philadelphia Amateur Wrestling Club (PAWC, 1973), owner of an antiquarian book business since 1979, researcher, author, publisher, historical consultant. Mr. Abrams is an Olympic & sport historian and the founder of the IISOH. Life member of both the North American Society for Sport History (NASSH) and the International Society for History of Physical Education and Sport (ISHPES). He is recognized with a biography in Who´s Who in the East.
Mr. Art Donahoe, Vice-President
A well-traveled native New Englander Mr. Donahoe was born in Woonsocket, RI, and educated in five different states before graduating from Northwest HS in Indianapolis, IN (1968). Beginning his university studies at Purdue University he completed his studies and received his BS degree in Physical Education from Boston University where he was captain of the wrestling team and served as assistant coach. As teacher and coach he taught in Indianapolis at Speedway Junior HS, then at Pennsylvania State University. He served as assistant wrestling coach at Clemson University from 1982 to 1986 under Wade Schalles and Eddie Griffin and earned a Master's degree in Educational Administration (1986). He served as head wrestling coach at Siena Heights University, Adrian, MI (1986-88). Distinguished himself as coach with USA Wrestling's National Coaching staff in 1983, participating in the National Olympic Festival; member NAIA Wrestling Coach's Association Public Relations Committee (1987-88); manager NAIA All-Star team, winner of the Oceana Cup in Melbourne, Australia (1988). Mr. Donahoe became a radio broadcaster and relocated to North Carolina where he continued his wrestling career as coach and official for high school wrestling. Member National Wrestling Coaches Association, National High School Coaches Association, Indy West Wrestling Club, founder and executive director of North Dare (NC) Wrestling Club. Founder ARPA Investments, a financial management firm.
Ms. Paula Donahoe
Born in Chicago, IL, Mrs. Donahoe brings a lifetime of dance expertise to the IISOH board. She began dancing at the age of three, took up baton and color guard and was valedictorian of her graduating class at Arlington HS, Arlington Heights, IL (1967). At Northwestern University (IL) she majored in French and minored in both German and Dance, graduating with a BA in1971. At Northwestern she performed with and was student director and choreographic advisor to Orchesis, and also served as president of the university´s chapter of the National Honorary Dance Fraternity (1970-71). While still an undergraduate she served on the faculty as an Instructor of Dance. While completing a Master of Arts degree in Dance from the College of Fine Arts at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) she served as a teaching assistant in Labanotation (1977). She was the lighting technician and stage manager for the Yugoslavian Dance Company. She specialized in Dance History during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. She taught at Russell Sage College (1973-74), Boston University (1974-77), and was an Assistant Professor of Dance at Pennsylvania State University (1978-82). Later she taught at The School of Ballet (Pendleton, SC), the Lenawee County YMCA and Siena Heights University (Adrian, MI), and took classes with the Toledo Ballet. Since 1995 she has taught and choreographed with the Dare County (NC) Dance Company, where she instituted a competition group, The Dare To Dance Company. Her group has recorded numerous awards and her choreography has been recognized by Dance Educators of America.
Capt. Josiah (Joe) Henson, USN (Ret)
Born and educated in Bristow, OK, he excelled in wrestling and was Olympic bronze medalist in freestyle wrestling at the XV Olympic Games, Helsinki, Finland (1952). Attended the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD, interupted his studies and served in the South Pacific during World War II, participated in the invasion of the Philippines and Okinawa, as well as sea battle of Surigao Straits aboard U.S.S. California (1944-45). Returned to receive his BS degree in 1945. Earned a Diploma, U. S. Naval War College, Newport, RI (1959), received MS degree in International Relations at George Washington University, Washington, DC (1967). Captain, U.S. Navy (Pilot) retired after 25 years service (1944-69). Attached to U.S. Embassy (MAAG), Paris, France (1959-61). Commanded Air Anti-submarine squadron VS-31 (1961-64), Assistant Chief of Naval Personnel, Washington, DC (1965-69). Trustee, U.S. Naval Academy Foundation (1973-80). FILA wrestling referee, judge and jury member at XVI, XVII, XVIII, XIX Summer Olympic Games in Melbourne (1956), Rome (1960), Tokyo (1964) and Mexico City (1968). Special Assistant to USOC President at XI Winter Olympic Games in Sapporo, Japan (1972) and XX Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany (1972). International Federation (IF) Delegate and Acting IF President (A credential), at XXIV Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea (1988). Official participant in every Summer Olympic Games since 1952 (except 1980 boycotted Game in Moscow). Senior Vice President and Executive Council Member, World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) (1977 to date). Delegate to every General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF) Congress and General Assembly since 1980. Delegate to Association of Summer Olympic International Sports Federations (ASOIF) (1984 to date). Chef De Mission, U.S. Delegation, IX Pan American Games in Puerto Rico (1979). Special Assistant to U.S.O.C. President at V and VI Pan American Games in Winnipeg, Canada (1967) and Cali, Colombia (1971). IF Delegate (A Credential), XI Pan American Games in Havana, Cuba (1991) and IF special representative for X Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Indiana (1987). USOC House of delegates / Board of Directors for XVII, XIX, XX and XXIII Olympiads (1960-64, 1964-68, 1968-72 and 1980-84). Member of various U.S.O.C. committees including Games Preparation Committee, International Relations Committee, Membership Committee, Wrestling Sport Committee (1960-88). Member, Wrestling NGB Board of Directors (1964-80). Five time member of US Olympic Wrestling Committee and Chairman (1964-68). Amateur Wrestling Foundation "Man of the Year" in Amateur Wrestling (1967). Helms Hall of Fame. Modern Pentathlon (USMPC) Executive Committee (1976-84). National Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) President (1980-84) and Vice-President (1976-80). Sullivan Award Committee Chairman. Executive Director, People to People Sports Committee, founded by President Dwight Eisenhower, (1970-72). Member, International Sports Committee, U.S. Information Agency (USIA) (Special commendation from President Ronald Reagan) (1980-88). Founder and President (retired), The Henson Company, Inc., manufacturer of sporting goods under the BRUTE label (Reading, PA). Sold majority interest in company and retired in 1988.
Mr. Josh Henson
Born into a Navy family Mr. Henson was educated all over the world and lived in 14 places during his first 21 years. Graduated from Yorktown HS, Arlington, VA (1968). Studied government and psychology at Harvard University, received his BA degree with honors (1972). Studied law at the University of Virginia (class of 1978). Member of the bar, Washington, D.C. Studied one year in the graduate law program at Victoria University of Manchester (England) as a Rotary Foundation Fellow. National Rhodes Scholarship finalist. Wrestled at Harvard and was several time winner in AAU and US Wrestling Federation freestyle and Greco-Roman championships. British national wrestling champion (1975) . Irish national wrestling champion (1975). Several time champion in Sombo and Aerobics, placed fifth in British University championships in Judo. Has a black belt in Jujitsu, competed in baseball, cross country running and fencing. Has coached wrestling at a Massachusettes private school, Harvard College, George Mason University and was coach for the Spanish Olympic Wrestling team in the 1984 LA Olympic Games. Earned the highest rankings as an international referree in Wrestling, Sombo and Aerobics, and has worked in hundreds of national and international sports events over the past 30 years. Named Man of the Year six times by different National AAU sports Committees from 1986 to 1996. Mr. Henson has extensive fund-raising experience for numerous charitable organizations, has attended most Olympic Games and international championships in wrestling since 1960, is fluent in French and has served as simultaneous interpreter at dozens of international sporting events. Has traveled in over 50 countries. Has served as an intern for Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) and researcher-speechwriter for Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Has served as legal counsel and negotiated contracts for major corporations sucha s Adidas and Reebock, and has written and published news and sports stories, legal articles and poetry. As an attorney he specializes in international trade and sports/entertainment law. Past president of the International Aerobics Federation (FISAA), current president of the International Sombo Federation (FIAS), legal counsel to the International Bowling Federation (FIQ).
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This page was created September 13, 2001
This page was updated May 11, 2007
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