Arthur “Ski” Zielinski served the Academy for 30
years as a trainer, a physical instructor, and a gymnastics
coach. Arriving at Kings Point in 1946, Zielinski quickly
became popular with the midshipmen through his kind and energetic
demeanor. In 1958, Zielinkski started a gymnastics club, and
in short time, the club was competing in different AAU meets.
The Mariners were 6-2 in the 1961 season, which helped the
gymnastics club obtain varsity status in 1962. Under
Zielinski the team posted a .700 winning percentage and never had a
losing campaign.
Along with directing Kings Point’s gymnastics team,
Zielinski also directed seven international gymnastics competitions
in O’Hara Hall. As a result of his involvement in the
AAU, he was selected to manage the United States Olympic Team on a
six-week tour of South American countries in 1968. Zielinski
retired from the Academy in 1973.
