Posted: December 13, 2004

Athletics: 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 31, 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.

From: USATF.org.