Jake Dailey was one of the best gymnasts of the many coached by Joe Sullivan at Stivers. He competed on a national level in 1959, 1960 and 1961.
In 1959 teams from Ohio, Michigan and Minnesota met in Detroit and Jake finished 2nd in the Senior Trampoline event. In Columbus at the CA/AAU Ohio-West Virginia meet, Jake finished 1st in the Junior Trampoline event and in New York City at the National YMCA/AAU Gymnastic Championships, he placed 2nd on the Junior Trampoline. In 1960 at the Ohio-West Virginia meet in Columbus, Jake placed 1st on both the Tramp and Long Horse. In Kent, Ohio for the junior national Mens AAU Championships, he placed 2nd in the Senior Div. Trampoline event. In Washington, DC at the National YMCA/AAU Championships, Jake placed 2nd in the Senior Div. Trampoline event. In 1961 in Chicago at the YMCA/AAU Midwest meet, Jake placed 3rd on the trampoline. In Columbus for the Ohio-West Virginia meet, Jake placed 1st in both tumbling (Floor-Ex) and Trampoline in the Senior Div. events. In New York City for the National YMCA/AAU Championships that year Jake placed 1st in Mens Trampoline.
After graduating from Stivers he managed a trampoline center at Indian Lake for 2 years and worked as an electrician apprentice.
In 1964, at the height of the Vietnam War, Jake enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. After attaining the rank of Sergeant (E-5) he was medically discharged in 1967.
After working in the private sector for a few years, Jake was hired by the Federal Dept. of Veterans Affairs Medical Center where he retired after 31 years. While employed by the VA, Jake was appointed by President Reagan to a twenty year term on the Selective Service System civilian review board representing Preble Co. He has served as Commander of the Vandalia chapter of DAV several times; District commander of the DAV over 9 counties from 2008 to 2010 and Chairman of the VA’s National Cemetery Support Committee. Jake has been married to his wife Jo for 41 years. They had 2 children. A son, Jason who served the US Navy in the Gulf War but tragically died in a motorcycle accident in 1993, and a daughter, Kelly, who has given Jake and Jo 5 grand‑children and 6 great grandchildren.
Just imagine having this wonderful energetic man for a Dad! His gymnastic ability always amazed me, and I certainly didn’t know anyone elses parents that could and Did randomly just whip off back handsprings across the back yard. But my absolute favorite memory is when he would take turns putting me and my brother on his shoulders and ride around on the unicycle! What an awesome experience.
Thanks Dad