Dan Speasl is recognized for his years of dedication to the development of leadership and citizenship Indian people through the sport of Wrestling.

Born in Lebanon Oregon, Speasl graduated from Lebanon High School, lettered as a freshman at Oregon State University and then attended SOU, graduating in 1974. As a wrestler at SOU, Speasl became SOU’s first 3-time All American Athlete in any sport. He continued to actively support SOU wrestling throughout his life.

Speasl was hired as a teacher and coach at Crater High School in 1974. He was head wrestling coach from 1974 to 1985, and during those years he took the Crater wrestling program from the back of the class to a state contender. His coaching philosophy was aligned around intense hard work, being in better shape than the opponents, and competing at the highest level possible. He believed that this was the only way to improve.

In addition to his teaching and wrestling coaching duties, Speasl was assistant coach in football and baseball, and coached the girls and boys cross country teams. He even found time to lead the construction of the Hanby field house/ wrestling project. During his tenure as the Career Counselor at Crater, he was one of the founding members of the Crater Foundation and developed the rating system that is still used for awarding scholarships.

In 1997 Speasl became the Athletic Director for Crater, a position he held until his retirement in 2004. As AD, he was instrumental in the development of the soccer fields and JV baseball field on Upton Road with no cost to the District, using his many contacts with Jackson County residents and businesses for in- kind services and cash donations. After leaving Crater, he served as interim Athletic Director at SOU for one year.

For his dedication and lasting influence on Wrestling, Dan Speasl is presented the National Wrestling Hall of Fame’s‘s “Lifetime Service to Wrestling” award for the class of 2004.