High School track enthusiast Doug Speck dies

High School track enthusiast Doug Speck dies

High school track historian, statistician and enthusiast Doug Speck died Thursday night following a long battle with melanoma, an aggressive form of cancer.

Speck, who was instrumental in developing the Arcadia Invitational in California into one of the leading high school meets in the country, taught and coached cross country and track at Arcadia High School for more than 30 years. He also worked on various state high school advisory committees for both cross country and track and field.

A longtime writer for California Track and Running News, Speck used his vast knowledge in becoming one of the finest high school track P.A. announcers in the country.

An enthusiastic supporter of the USA Junior Track & Field Championships, Speck mailed over 50,000 invitations to high school athletes with information and entry forms for the event between 1987 and 1999. Through the years Speck also contributed generously to the forerunners of the Nike Indoor Nationals, Nike Cross Country Nationals and the Kinney/Footlocker Nationals. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Courtesy USATF