The former gymnast, founder of American Athletic, and CEO of multiple sporting goods companies over more than 60 years in the industry, died on Aug. 3 in Lake Saint Louis, MO. He was 93. Sorenson was a champion trampoline gymnast in college and built his first trampoline, the Aqua-Tramp, in his garage. He founded the American Trampoline Company, which became American Athletic Inc. (AAI) in 1957. AAI merged with Head Ski in 1968 and, in 1971, became AMF Corp., where Sorenson ... Log in to view full article.