Hall of Fame Inductee - Jeff Spear

Things just seem to get done when Jeff Spear is around. A 1974 graduate of Quincy High, Spear had a knack for doing what he could - the best he could - in what endeavor was presented to him. His role was that of a reserve on the 1972-73 Blue Devil basketball team that went 26-2. His job was to work the starters over in practice - so the game would seem easier. It worked. When his playing days ended after his junior year, Spear organized the "Athletic Supporters," a student booster group that motivated the home team to even loftier heights. He organized a student-faculty basketball game to subsidize bus trips to the out of town games for the group and, along with Jim Knaff, made sure the kids got on the bus. Spear furthered his education at Kenyon College in Ohio, where he graduated with honors in 1978. He completed his education with a degree from the Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1979. It was that same year that Jeff Spear joined the Quincy Thanksgiving Holiday Tournament Committee. He's been a fixture ever since. Spear assumed the role of Chairman of the Ticket Assignment committee in 1982 and was tournament chairman in the years of 1989 and 1990. In 1989 Spear began assisting the QHS athletic director in choosing the teams for the Thanksgiving Tournament. He was responsible for helping to bring 3 teams to Quincy that were ranked by pre-season polls to be top ten nationally. In addition, Jeff Spear has helped raise funds for those Quincy High athletes, coaches and friends of sports who have been selected to the IBCA Hall of Fame and IBCA All-Star games since 1987. Organizing, raising funds and working behind the scenes has been the role Jeff Spear has played and played well. His hard work has made things easier for others. And he's done it all with a quiet courtesy and grace that few possess. Jeff and his wife Theresa and sons, William and Nicholas make their home in Quincy.