Banner was born on June 4, 1936, in Van Nuys, California. At seven years old, he was diagnosed with polio which required the use of a wheelchair and later crutches.[2] He continued to take special physical education classes until the 10th grade.[2] Banner attended Van Nuys High School where he was able to participate in various sports, including gymnastics under coach Barney Quinn, by 11th grade.[2][3][4] He excelled in gymnastics and later attended Los Angeles Valley College where he competed for their gymnastics team from 1954 to 1955 under coach Al Arps.[5][6] He later enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles to pursue gymnastics.
Gymnastics career
While at student at UCLA, Banner was a member of the UCLA Bruins men's gymnastics team. He began competing for UCLA for the 1955-56 season as a junior.[7][8][9] His last season with the Bruins was 1957.[10]
Post-gymnastics life
Banner was a teacher and taught for 16 years at Turlock High School.[3] He curated the website, www.gymnasticshalloffame.org, which included detailed biographies of those influential to the sport where coverage from USA Gymnastics was lacking.[3] Contributors to his research included fellow USA Gymnastics Hall of Famers Abie Grossfeld and Jerry Wright.[3]
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