Dr. Speer Receives Award from Institute for International Sport

Kevin Speer, MD, was recently named with the likes of Tiger Woods and Mike Krzyzewski as one of the 100 most influential sports educators in America. Dr. Speer received this honor from the Institute for International Sport as a result of his long term commitment to using sports as a means to amplify positive values among athletes.

Dr. Speer is a renowned orthopedic surgeon and authority in the sports medicine and shoulder field. A former two time First Team Academic All-Ten football star at Indiana University, as well as being chosen as a National Football Foundation/ College Hall of Fame Top Eleven Scholar Athlete in 1980, Dr. Speer has continued to excel in the medical and sports worlds. As an NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship winner, Dr. Speer made his way to Johns Hopkins School of Medicine where he graduated from in 1985.

Dr. Speer had been the Director of the Duke University Sports Medicine and Shoulder Program until 2000 when he left the medical center for private practice in Raleigh. He also served as the head team physician for Duke University Athletics and also other university and professional organizations while working at Duke Medical Center. Dr. Speer is currently in private practice in Raleigh and is the Medical Director of Orthopaedic Services at Duke Raleigh Hospital, a part of the Duke University Health System.

Honorees were chosen as a part of a three year project undertaken by the Institute for International Sport. The criteria used for awarding this distinction were the use of sports as a means to educate others. The organization received over 1,500 nominees and reduced the number to 200. The final selection of 100 was determined by a selection committee made up of coaches, athletic administrators, journalists and academicians. Other recipients include Mike Krzyzewski, head men's basketball coach at Duke University, Andre Agassi, former world number one tennis player and founder of the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation, Cal Ripken, Jr., Hall of Fame baseball player, and Tiger Woods, professional golfer and the founder of the Tiger Woods Foundations and the Tiger Woods Learning Center.

“This is not only a great honor for me but for Duke Orthopedics as well. I give all credit to my mentors at Duke especially Dr. William Garrett”, commented Speer. “To be recognized for what is both my profession and passion is extraordinary, particularly with such an impressive group of other individuals. Sports is the great educator; the foundation for teamwork, discipline, perseverance and self-esteem.”

To learn more about this award, please go to www.internationalsport.com.