Vera Truhlar

Induction Year: 2024

Category: Gymnastics, Coaching

Location: Connetquot 

A longtime East Islip resident and legendary gymnastics coach at Connetquot.

Vera Truhlar was born in Czechoslovakia in 1940. Her father, Jaroslav, a cyclist who competed in the 1924 Olympic Games in Paris, owned a machine and repair shop. She attributes her lifelong interest in sports to her father’s influence. This year marks the 100th anniversary of his participation in the Paris Olympics, and being inducted into the HOF this year is extra special!

After graduating high school, Vera attended Charles University in Prague, where she studied physical education and the Czech language.

Vera was hired as a physical education teacher by the Connetquot School District. She taught at Oakdale Bohemia Junior High for 33 years and coached the school gymnastics team. As the Connetquot gymnastics coach from 1976-1991, her teams earned 237 wins and just 40 losses, as well as six conference titles and 2 county championships.

Former Suffolk County gymnastics coordinator from 1995-2006, and her teams won four titles in the early 2000s.

After retirement, Truhlar returned to competition. She has competed in the senior games since 2001, winning 49 gold medals, 13 silver medals, and 2 bronze medals in shot put, discus, cycling, and triathlon. She holds records in her age group in the Northeast and has been profiled by several national media organizations for her success as an athlete, not just as a coach.

She worked as an International gymnastics translator for world competitions for several years.

She ranks in the top 10 in gymnastics coaching wins in New York State and is the winningest girls’ gymnastics coach in Suffolk County history!