Mark Speckman
Mark Speckman joined the staff at Lawrence University, in Appleton, WI as the Offensive Coordinator in May of 2015 after serving two seasons as the running backs and tight ends coach of the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League. Speckman was a head coach at the collegiate level for 15 seasons, including 14 at Willamette University. Speckman coached Willamette from 1998-2011 and compiled a record of 83-59. The Bearcats won the Northwest Conference in 1999 and 2008 and made appearances in the NCAA Division III playoffs in 1999, 2004 and 2008. Speckman’s 2008 team finished with an 11-1 record and was ranked as high as fourth nationally. Speckman was a finalist for the Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year and was named American Football Coaches Association West Region Coach of the Year in 2008. Speckman, who has been named a conference Coach of the Year 10 times, also served as the head coach at Menlo College in 2012 before going to the Canadian Football League. Speckman served as a prep head coach from 1981-94 before joining the staff at Willamette as the offensive coordinator in 1995.
In 2008, Speckman was a Liberty Mutual National Coach of the Year Finalist, where he was featured on ABC and ESPN. He is also regarded as an authority on the “Fly” offense. Speckman spent two seasons suiting up as linebacker for Menlo from 1973 – 74, and was inducted into the Menlo College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009. After the ’74 season, Speckman transferred to Azusa Pacific University in Azusa, California to complete his degree, and in the process earned NAIA All-American Honorable Mention as a player. In 2004, the Oregonian newspaper named Speckman on their list of the 25 most influential sports figures in the state of Oregon.
What’s most impressive, however, is that Mark accomplished all of this despite being born without hands.
Mark learned early on that he couldn’t escape his disability. He had to face his challenges and “figure life out” without hands. In his mid-20’s Mark made a pact with God to use his disability to create a positive impact in others lives. He made a promise to share his life story with anyone who inquired. Since then, Mark has been featured by numerous national media outlets (including ESPN and USA Today) and has established himself as one of the most in-demand motivational speakers in the country.