RIP-Doug Speck

[Double R Bar]

If you are familiar with California high school track and field, then you know the name of Doug Speck. Doug is currently fighting melanoma and has a brain tumor. Doug has been a meet director (Arcadia Invitational), announcer (Mt. SAC Relays), historian, and a statistician and is well-known in California high school track and field.
This is his mailing address in California: Mr. Doug Speck, 319 Eucalyptus, Apartment C, El Segundo, CA 90245. Cards and notes might give him a lift.
More details over on Dyestat.com.

[SDavis]

RIP-Doug Speck

I am quite sad to report that Doug Speck passed away on Thursday evening. He had been battling melanoma for some time. Unfortunately, the disease moved into his brain and became difficult to control. Doug was one of the greatest prep experts in the country. He had been the Meet Director for the great Arcadia meet for many years. Doug taught at Arcadia for over 30 years and had retired about two years ago. He was the best prep PA announcer in the business and had worked for me for several years at Mt. SAC. His love of prep track was unmatched. The sport will not be the same without Doug. He was one of the nicest people I ever knew, always positive and never had a bad word about anyone. I will miss him terribly. I will post more details as I get them.

[Marlow]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

The sport will not be the same without Doug.

I never met him, but his reputation was all you say, and you're right - HS track lost a big guy.

[Walt Murphy]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

More on Doug

http://www.dyestatcal.com//?pg=dyestatcal-2010-TrackField-News-February-26-Doug-Speck

http://images.dyestat.com/dyestatcal/images/2010/March/12%20Doug%20Speck%20Award/DSpeck.pdf

Dyestat Thread: http://www.talk.dyestat.com/showthread.php?t=110606

[Double R Bar]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

Track and field has lost an important part in the passing of Doug Speck. It's hard to say how much he did for Southern California high school track and field, but it's safe to say it is huge. My best to his family.

[gm]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

This is awful news. Doug selflessly gave a large portion of his life to track and field, and will be missed terribly.

[Bob H]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

Scott is right. Doug was one of the nicest people around.

gm is right, too. This is a terrible loss.

[Ruth Wysocki]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

I consider Doug a friend, supporter, and someone who really gave all he had to make our sport better. His passing is a great loss. Those of us who knew Doug are better for having had him be a part of our lives. He will be sorely missed.

[tandfman]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

The web site of the Southern California Association of USATF has re-posted a tribute that appears to have been written in 2006, on the occasion of his receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Association.

http://scausatf.blogspot.com/2010/03/tr ... -2010.html

[vip]

Re: RIP-Doug Speck

I have precious video taken by Speck and his voice-over describing my daughter's win at the JO's, so he will live forever in my family.

[cigar95]

Re: Doug Speck

Although linked on the main page, it doesn't seem to be here in the forum. Doug passed peacefully from this life last Thursday evening. So far, it seems that services are pending.

Doug was a great guy, and he genuinely loved high school, age-group, and junior level track. He could never get enough of it. I will miss him greatly, after spending countless hours with him in announcers' booths and press boxes, going back to the late 80s. (I actually met Doug first when he was a coach at Arcadia High and I was a junior high athlete, but I can't say I knew him at that time.)

I have said more than once that I think there may have been no one in the sport who was better at what they did than Doug - whether that's Sergey Bubka, Marita Koch, Bob Hersh, or Cordner Nelson - it's hard to describe just how good Doug was at preparing for and announcing a big high school meet. In the last couple of years, he might have been surpassed by Usain Bolt, but that's pretty incredible company. His are shoes that will not be filled.

Memory Eternal, my friend.

[tandfman]

Re: Doug Speck

viewtopic.php?f=5&t=39103

[cigar95]

Re: Doug Speck

Thanks, I hadn't looked at the historical board. Probably appropriate to have it here as well, since I'm sure there are many who don't follow the other board.

Still no word from Rich Gonzalez on services. The idea of something at the Arcadia High stadium has been mentioned.

[bhall]

Re: Doug Speck

Sorry to hear this news. Doug and I traded emails back in the darkwing days. Great lover of and advocate for the sport.