Collection:LPB

Genre: Interview

Place Covered: Baton Rouge, East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2012-09-10

Duration: 00:28:14

Subjects: Hatch, Gayle | Sports | Olympic Games | Weight lifting | Native Americans | Strength training | Steroids | Women athletes

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Barnes, Liz Producer
• Godoy, Al Producer
• Hatch, Gayle Interviewee

This episode of the series “Louisiana Legends” from September 10, 2012, features an interview with Gayle Hatch conducted by Beth Courtney. Hatch, who grew up in Baton Rouge, is a strength coach and weightlifting coach, who served as the head coach of the United States men’s weightlifting team at the 2004 Olympic Games. He was inducted into the inaugural class of the USA Strength and Conditioning Coaches Hall of Fame. He discusses: being honored by the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.; growing up in Oklahoma; his father, a Delaware Indian; his move to Baton Rouge; his athletic ability in high school; his decision to play college basketball at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches; his transition into strength training; the differences between strength training and body building; his development of the Hatch System, which is also used by other strength trainers; his relationship with his wife Peggy; the opening ceremonies of the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece; his influence as a coach; his adamant beliefs against steroid use; and women athletes.