Welcome to the Administrator Page for Peru State Athletics.
Richard Speas comes to Peru State College with a diverse background in
higher education. Richard spent thirteen years involved in various roles at
the collegiate level prior to spending the 2005-2006 school year as an
administrator at South O'Brien High School in Paullina, Iowa, where he
served as the Activities Director.
Speas spent nine years at William Penn University, serving in various roles
that included; assistant athletic director, assistant director of admissions, instructor of physical education, head resident, assistant baseball coach, head men's and women's cross-country coach, and head men's and women's track and field coach. During the seven years as assistant baseball coach, the nationally ranked program at William Penn went 215-78, including several players that were drafted. Speas spent much time working with the hitters. William Penn led the nation in winning percentage in 1993, and also established a national record for slugging percentage in 1994.
Serving as the head men's and women's track and field coach in 2004 and 2005, the Speas led teams won the conference in men's track each year, and Speas was named conference coach of the year in 2004 and 2005. The men's cross-country team also claimed conference honors in 2005, and finished second in the district meet, just missing qualifying the team for the national meet. Speas was named conference coach of the year, and NAIA District VII coach of the year.
Between stints at William Penn University, Richard Speas served as the inaugural Director of Athletics as Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia from 1997-2000. Speas led the way for the establishment of fourteen new intercollegiate sports during his tenure as the athletic director. Every athletic program produced a winning season by the second season. In addition to serving as the athletic director, Speas also taught classes in the Human Performance and Leisure Studies department, and coached the track and field and cross-country programs.
The background for Richard Speas also includes a year in admissions work at Graceland University, and four years as the Director of Operations for Baseball Schools USA. Baseball Schools USA operated a national network of standardized baseball instruction based out of Chicago. Speas also worked as an associate scout for the Texas Rangers.
Prior to his work in higher education and athletic administration, Speas taught and coached at the secondary level in public schools.
Richard Speas, a native of Union, Iowa, earned his bachelor's degree from William Penn University in social science, and his master's degree was completed at Truman State University in the discipline of sports administration.
The Speas household includes Richard, his wife Karma, and children Staci , Shawna, Jentrian , Tierney, Elijah, and BrookeLyn. Daughter Staci played collegiate softball at William Penn University, and competed in the 2005 NAIA national championships. In addition to serving as the athletic director at Peru State College, Richard also teaches in the physical education department.
