Scott Daniels - The Quiet Man

Scott was a decathlete I had the pleasure of coaching inform 1983 to 85. Scott died of leukemia on Friday night after an eight month battle. Scott fought the leukemia just like he trained and competed, with quiet determination. Unfortunately this was one he could not overcome. He was a great athlete. I can just see that bouncy stride and that big smile now. He was the most unlikely looking runner you have ever seen. He was 6’2”and 220 pounds, great size for decathlon, not an advantage in running. His best events were the 400 meters and the 1500 meters. In fact when he broke the American record in the Indoor Pentathlon in 1984 he ran 2:33 for 1,000 meters on a very tight 200 meter flat track. It was amazing to see. He was all grit heart and determination. I will miss Scott but all of us who knew him are better people for having known him. I got to talk to Scot three days before he died; all he wanted to do was to thank me for coaching him. He did not want any sympathy. That was him, thinking about other people. I would not have known he was sick if his girl friend had not called me in advance to tell me. Thanks Scott, the privilege was all mine.