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Click Here 39 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, April 1, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find a Rental Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Email Story to a Friend March 20, 2004 Crater’s Speasl to enter state wrestling hall By KRIS HENRY Mail Tribune CENTRAL POINT — It wasn’t until his junior year in high school that Dan Speasl considered a career in education. One afternoon while sitting in a Lebanon High classroom, Speasl’s mind drifted a bit as he listened to one of his favorite teachers go over a lesson plan. So impressed by the teacher, Speasl instantly made up his mind that he, too, wanted to be in a position where he could help enlighten budding minds. In the three decades since, Speasl has certainly accomplished his goal. On May 1, the 52-year-old athletic director at Crater High will be one of five longtime wrestling coaches elected into the Oregon Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame. The award is for a lifetime of service to young people through the sport of wrestling, and each honoree will be permanently enshrined in the National Hall of Fame in Stillwater, Okla. Advertisement Joining Speasl in the induction ceremony at the Holiday Inn in Wilsonville will be 2004 honorees Dr. Mike Clock, Bob Shewbert, Gary Head and Ron James. "I think it’s a reflection back on the program, not 30 years of me being there," says Speasl. During his tenure as assistant coach, head coach and athletic director, Crater wrestling teams have won six state team titles plus 10 individual state titles and 112 individual district titles. "The Crater program would not be where it is today without Dan Speasl," says Jay McRoberts, who coached with Speasl for more than 20 years. "Dan was the architect of the program." If that’s to be believed, Speasl says, he was an architect without much of a blueprint when he assumed the Crater reins less than a year removed from his senior season at Southern Oregon University. "I was pretty green," he recalls. "I didn’t know if I should put my name in the hat for the position, but one of the coaches said, ‘You never know when you’ll get another chance.’" Speasl was coming off a Raider career in which he was a three-time All-American at 126 pounds. He placed fifth in 1972, third in ‘73 and sixth in ‘74 under the tutelage of head coach Bob Riehm. "It was an excellent learning experience wrestling for Bob Riehm," says Speasl. "He made wrestling important (at SOU)." That philosophy translated well to Crater, although it took time and the hard work of many. "When a school’s not at the top of the conference," says Speasl, "then you have to scratch and claw to try to get there. We were just fortunate we had good, hard-working kids and it was the right time. It was a lot of hard work by everybody to get where we are, not just one individual." Still, Speasl was largely responsible for instilling the work ethic the Comets maintain today under current wrestling head coach Greg Haga. "I think the first thing he brought when he took over was intensity and the expectation levels were raised greatly," says Haga, who swapped roles with Speasl in 1989 and took over as head coach while Speasl became an assistant. "He made it clear that it’s not OK to wrestle close or just OK, you wrestle to the best of your ability." Speasl also made it clear that he would be there for his wrestlers, regardless of wins and losses. "He held kids accountable and cared for them at the same time," says McRoberts. "Dan Speasl was a complete coach. I’ve worked for some pretty good people, and I’ve not worked for any better than Dan." "Dan’s also probably the best friend a person could have," adds McRoberts. "He’s always there for people." Mostly, though, Speasl’s been there for the kids. "Some of those memories of the kids who have gone through and done well are some of the best I have," says Speasl, who is stepping down as athletic director after this school year. "It’s a good feeling to know that, hopefully, you’ve had a part in that." For information on obtaining tickets to the Hall of Fame banquet, contact McRoberts at 664-1429. Tickets are $30. Most of the funds support the Hall and help promote wrestling in Oregon. Reach reporter Kris Henry at 776-4488, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback 3 WEEKS FREE! ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S RESOURCES Oregon Road Conditions & Cams SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Food for Thought Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities Prime Times