 Retired Mount Pulaski High School basketball coach James Jumper
nominated Spear for this honor.Spear has been a volunteer
timekeeper for Mount Pulaski boys basketball for over 25 years. He
has served under coaches Edward Butkovich, Bill Rucks, James Jumper
and Ryan Deibert. He also spent many years working alongside Hall of
Fame scorekeeper Mary Stewart of Mount Pulaski. In addition to
timekeeping duties, Spear has also been a longtime bus driver and an
assistant coach for both girls and boys basketball in the Mount
Pulaski school district.
As a longtime resident of Mount Pulaski, Spear is a retired
volunteer firefighter with nearly 20 years of service, and he also
served on the local EMS squad for over 20 years. Add elder at Zion
Lutheran Church of Mount Pulaski, race director at Lincoln Speedway
and warehouse supervisor at Stahl's Furniture to his list of
accomplishments, and one will realize Spear is indeed a valuable
friend throughout the community.
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As a "Friend of Basketball" in Mount Pulaski for over 25
years, Spear has seen a lot of great players come through the
system. He also emphasizes that he has made a lot of friends
through basketball. And when he says friends, he does not just
mean players, coaches and fans, but referees as well.
"I've met a lot of great people through this experience over the
years," Spear says. "I know there are people all over the state of
Illinois who are dedicated to basketball, and for me to be chosen is
really an honor. It's neat to be recognized for something like
this."
Spear, a 1982 graduate of Mount Pulaski High School, is married
to Carol, and they have two children, Marcy and Mindy. Marcy is
married to Danny Smock, while daughter Mindy is set to graduate from
Illinois State University in a couple of weeks. Marty has one
grandson, 18-month-old Garrett Smock, who has already spent a great
deal of time in the gym and looks to have a love for basketball just
like his grandfather.
[By TEENA LOWERY]
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