NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Southern Connecticut State University community is mourning the loss of John Crosby '74, a member of the 1972 United States Olympic men's gymnastics team and the most decorated student-athlete in the history of the athletic department.
 
Crosby was also a member of the Owls' first-ever NCAA Championship team in any sport, the 1973 men's gymnastics squad. In total, he won 13 individual NCAA titles and captured the Nissen Award in 1974 as the top gymnast in the nation.
 
Crosby was also recognized by the NCAA as a post-graduate scholar and winner of the Top 10 award. He represented the United States on 18 international teams from 1970-75.
 
"John was one of, if not, the finest student-athlete in the storied history of our athletic programs, and his accomplishments played a major role in the development of the sport of gymnastics on a national and international stage," said Director of Athletics Jay Moran. "He will be missed by the entire SCSU athletic family and the entire university community."
 
Prior to the induction of the 1973 NCAA Championship into the SCSU Athletics Hall of Fame in the spring of 2017, former Owls' three-time national champion and U.S. Olympic Team coach Abie Grossfeld offered the following comments on Crosby.
 
"John was a great guy to coach. He did everything that I asked of him and more. He was excellent. And he was an excellent student too.
 
"He was very well-trained. His technique was excellent…He was the backbone of our (1973 NCAA Championship) team."
 
At the conclusion of his collegiate career, Crosby was the most decorated athlete in the history of the NCAA. He won 12 of his 13 national titles in the college division, along with one in the university division. He was also the leading medal winner at the 1971 Pan American Games with eight.
 
During the 1973 NCAA Championship, Crosby won five individual titles, including his third consecutive national titles in the floor exercise and all-around.
 
Crosby was inducted into the SCSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 and was also inducted into the United States Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1998.