Bob Hersh 1940-2023

Long-time USATF New York member Robert "Bob" Hersh, died today in Long Island, New York, at NorthShore University Hospital. He was 82.

Hersh, a 2018 National Track & Field Hall of Fame inductee, played an integral role in formation of The Athletics Congress in 1979, the changeover to USA Track & Field in 1992, and the professionalization of track & field.

He was "the voice" of track & field in the United States having served as the public address announcer at many of the major domestic competitions including the Millrose Games and Penn Relays.  Internationally, he was the English language voice for six Olympic Games and nine World Championships.

As an administrator, he played a critical role in The Athletics Congress/USA Track & Field as Records Committee chair (81-88), Rules Committee chair (89-01) and General Counsel (89-97) and was a Board member from 1981-2015.

He was named USATF's Giegengack Award winner in 1997 and twice received USATF President's Awards.

On the international level, Hersh was a member of the IAAF Technical Committee from 1984-1999 and was an IAAF Council member from 1999-2015, rising to Senior Vice President in 2011, the highest IAAF position ever held by an American. He also served on numerous IAAF Commissions and Working Groups and was a Technical Delegate at the Olympics and IAAF World Championship events. He was awarded the IAAF Silver Order of Merit in 2015.

He was inducted into the USATF-NY Officials Hall of Fame in 2021. His Hall of Fame induction bio can be viewed here. 

Other Tributes

• World Athletics
• USATF