It's often the players behind the scenes that make collegiate athletics run smooth and Bob Specht was one of those play makers for the Loras College athletics department during his 26 years of service. The impact he had at events and day-to-day on the people at the college left a lasting impression as one of the best people and employees to don purple and gold and his legacy lands him a prestigious spot as a member of the Loras Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2022.
After starting as the custodian in the newly-built Graber Sports Center in 1982, Specht took on the responsibility of managing the athletic facilities to ensure everything was in pristine condition for events. He took pride in his work, especially making sure the lines and endzone were immaculate for football games. Teams never had to worry about the condition of the field when they showed up to play in the Rock Bowl and fans were always dazzled by the quality of the work. Renowned Duhawk football coach and Hall of Famer Bob Bierie looked forward to game days in the Rock Bowl and getting to play on "the best grass field in the Iowa Conference, thanks to Bob Specht." In 2000, Specht moved into a new role as the Director of Graber Sports Center and became the equipment manager for athletics six years later.
The work he did was not always glamorous or written about like how we showcase wins and records for teams and student-athletes, but coaches and members of the community took notice. Men's and women's cross country head coachÂ
Bob Schultz was one of those coaches.
"What I remember about Bob was his passion for his job," said Schultz. "He prided himself on our facilities being top notch and well taken care of. I also appreciated his attitude. He was so positive and upbeat whenever you would see him. He was truly one of a kind and an all-time great Duhawk!"
"Bob was like so many Duhawks in that era – great work ethic – a tireless worker, making things better for those around him, going the extra-mile because it mattered and he cared," said head football coachÂ
Steve Helminiak '91. "He took great pride in his work and did it cause it helped the student-athletes and coaches, and he took great pride in Loras College!"
Long before automatic sprinklers, Specht would manually move the sprinklers to the football field to make sure the playing surface was in perfect condition for game day and was absolutely devoted to his job. He did not always have the most glamorous job on campus but he did all duties with a smile on his face no matter what. His favorite memories included the work he did with the National Catholic Basketball Tournament from 1984-2001 and preparing the football field for Homecoming each year.
Specht was often called "911" because of his swiftness in getting from one place on campus to another and he continued to embrace that quality after his retirement from the college in 2008 as a part-time delivery driver for Hyvee on Locust, making sure everyone in the community is taken care of with as much care as he gave to Duhawk athletics.
As a friend and former colleague to Specht, baseball head coachÂ
Carl Tebon says, "Bob bleeds purple and gold!" Specht remains a continuous supporter of all things Loras. Specht was a role model to students and supportive in ways no one other than the students ever knew. He and his wife Jane, a Hall of Fame inductee in 2017 and former secretary for the athletics department, continue to support Loras athletics and are sometimes the loudest cheering section at Duhawk sporting events. For Director of AthleticsÂ
Denise Udelhofen '90/M' 92, the Specht family has been like an extension of her own and getting to celebrate his career is extra special.
"I could write a book on the qualities that make Bob one of the best. He came to work every day with a smile, never complained of long, odd hours and loved his colleagues and most of all the students. His loyalty to Loras is unwavering and I love that he is a true Duhawk," said Udelhofen. "The Specht family welcomed me with open arms as a student and let me escape campus life to hang out at their house and get awesome home cooked meals," said Udelhofen. "Bob and I shared an office for many years and had the opportunity to have him travel with us to Florida when I was the head softball coach. The highlight of that trip for Bob, a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan, was seeing the Braves spring training and he was able to meet Tom Glavine and get a photo with him. I am very glad he can receive this honor!"
