Mark Springer - USATF Passes on
Monday, December 13th, 2004 @ Indianapolis, Ind

If you ever attended one of the USATF JO Meets, or almost any of their competitions, for that matter, you may have come across Mark Springer, of late employed by that Indianapolis organization responsible for our sport. However, Mark's quiet, effective style was not one to often make him noticed by many, so you may have not have grown to know him or had contact with him at such affairs, even though you and others had to often marvel at the success with which these huge activities most often came off.

We had most of our contact with Mark at the series of summer Junior Olympic Track & Field competitions that we attended or worked at over the years as a part of the announcing team. With some 5000 athletes, lengthy day after day of events, with heat sheets, records and wind-readings that we asked clarification on during the years, we were always pleased with Mark's pleasant, workmanlike attitude in tracking down information that we requested. His quiet, "behind the scenes" work kept a monster meet moving down the road to successful completion.

We were shocked to learn earlier this year of his involvement in a car accident in mid-September, and constantly hoped for improvement from what appeared initially to be a quite serious condition. While in Portland a week back for the Nike Team Championship competition for preps we saw Tom Surber from USATF at the airport and asked him about Mark's condition. He said things were not good, with the news below not a complete surprise. Great loss for the sport, and another of those "they broke the mold" type people who are impossible to replace. Our best wishes go out to Mark and the family. When you strap on the shoes to go out for the next jog, workout, or race, spend a moment in extra appreciation, as one obviously does not know when it can all end.

Doug Speck - California & DyeStatCal.com

Obituary - Mark Springer, USATF Director of Grass Roots Programs & Planning

USA Track & Field Director of Grass Roots Programs and Planning Mark Springer, a husband, son, brother and Jimmy Buffet fanatic, died Monday morning, December 13, at Community South Hospital in Greenwood, Indiana. He was 47. Mark sustained severe head injuries in an automobile accident while driving home from work on September 10, 2004, and had been in a coma since the accident.

Born July 29, 1957, Mark was a native of Greenwood, a place he referred to in conversation simply as "God's Country." He graduated from Cathedral High School in Indianapolis and Indiana University in Bloomington.

Mark was the longest-tenured member of the USATF National Office Staff, having started with USATF in 1986 as Publications Assistant. He later moved to Publications Manager and Communications Manager before becoming Director of Grass Roots Programs and Planning in 2000.

In that role, Mark worked with USATF volunteer committees to coordinate the Youth Athletic National Championships and Junior Olympic Championships, as well as working with masters groups. His fall and winter seasons were spent planning and overseeing the USA Track & Field Annual Meeting.

In his various roles with USATF, Mark worked with nearly every constituency of the organization. He became one of the most beloved figures in USATF thanks to his deadpan humor and kind manner.

A font of USATF information, Mark was the "go-to guy" for any questions about the organization to which other staffers didn't have the answer. Have a question about an obscure governance issue? "Ask Springer." Trying to figure out how clear out a paper jam, or how to access your voice mail? "Ask Springer." Want to know the president of every USATF Association, or the nearest youth clubs to Kalamazoo, Michigan? "Ask Springer."

But Mark was perhaps best known for his keen, unique, and often ironic wit. "Springerisms" invariably were droll, deadpan and amusing. Internal calls to his office phone were answered with "Springer Global Headquarters." When asked how he was doing as a fellow staffer met him in the hallway, he was always "Living the dream."

As USATF President Bill Roe recounted at the 2004 USATF Annual Meeting Opening Session, conversations with Mark during the work day often concluded with, "Been nice chatting with you, but I've got to get back to my nap."

"Those of us who were fortunate to be close to him will always remember his quick, dry wit, his goofy giggle, and his remarkable way of keeping everyone at ease, no matter what the situation before him may be," Roe said. "He was forever generous with his time, sharing his remarkable intelligence, his skill at problem-solving, and his ever-increasing desire to help the office team. Mark will forever remain an example to all of us. There was so much goodness there, not to mention a great friendship he shared readily."

When not working, "napping" or making USATF safe for his fellow staffers, Mark traveled the country to attend Jimmy Buffet concerts. He and his wife, Sandy, also enjoyed hiking and the outdoors.

USATF CEO Craig Masback recounted how Sandy Springer told him of watching the 2004 Olympic Games with Mark in August. "One of Mark and Sandy's last happy moments was watching the Olympics on TV and sharing in the success of athletes who Mark had touched in some way through the years," Masback said. "Mark deserved to feel that sense of pride and happiness, just as our memories of Mark should be positive, tinged with sadness for what could and should have been.

"Mark's almost two decades of service to our organization helped our great athletes, coaches, officials and other volunteers achieve their potential in our sport. His death is a tragic loss for so many people, including his wife, family and USATF family. In many ways, he was the heart of this organization, and we are devastated by losing him. But memories of Mark must always be accompanied by a smile, because that's what he made us do, on a daily basis. Mark, we will miss you terribly. But please know that we will continue the work you started and will do so in your memory. You and your spirit will always be with us."

Survivors include his wife, Sandy; mother, Mary; and brothers Tom and John.

USATF will distribute information regarding arrangements when they are available.