Delaware, OH
--- Paul E. Spears, chairman of the board of Hanover Shoe Farms and
executive vice-president of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company, has been
elected as the 27th Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame honoree.
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|
USTA photo |
| Paul Spears
has been elected as the 27th Little Brown Jug Wall of Fame honoree. |
Spears will be
officially inducted on Thursday afternoon, September 22, during winner's
circle ceremonies on Little Brown Jug Day and will receive the commemorative
gold ring and Little Brown Jug jacket.
"I was stunned when
Phil Terry called to tell me I was elected to the Wall of Fame," said
Spears. "You spend your whole life trying to build up your reputation as a
person of integrity and doing good for the sport."
Spears grew up in
Reynoldsville, Pa., a small town in northwestern Pennsylvania.
"I worked on Dad's
farm and I learned to ride a horse when I was 6 years old."
Spears graduated with
a degree in economics from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. He also went
to graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh and later for three years
at Wayne University. While at Indiana University, Spears played football and
was elected to his alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame.
"I played offense and
defense, any position they needed."
He also played
baseball and basketball in high school and for independent teams.
While at Indiana
University, he met his future wife Josephine. They married in 1949 and have
two children and four grandchildren. Their daughter Patricia Eisenhauer is a
retired attorney and their son, Dr. Paul F. Spears, is now president and
chairman of the Standardbred Horse Sales Company.
In 1953, Spears
became controller of the Hanover Shoe Company, Hanover Shoe Farm and the
Standardbred Horse Sales Company.
"John Simpson, Sr.
was president and I often worked with horses in his stable at the farm.
After a couple of years, I got my amateur license and drove on the county
fair circuit. Later I earned my professional license and drove in many Grand
Circuit races and four Breeders Crown events. I retired a few years ago
because my wife was afraid I would be killed."
HARRISBURG PA - The Pennsylvania
Standardbred Breeders Development Fund has announced two
changes in its operating procedures concerning award
payments:
