Scot Breithaupt

1957 - 2015

Scot Breithaupt

1957 - 2015

BORN

1957

DIED

2015

Scot Breithaupt Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jul. 6, 2015.
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Scot Alexander Breithaupt, who helped turn BMX bike racing from a backyard backwater into an international action sport, has died, authorities said.

Breithaupt was among the first to organize bicycle races on dirt motorcycle courses in the early 1970s, becoming first a founder of BMX — or bicycle motocross — then a champion, then one of its first famous faces.

"Scot was one of the key figures in making BMX become what it is today. He would say he was the key figure, because that was the kind of guy he was," said Craig Barrette, spokesman for USA BMX, which runs the sport's Hall of Fame, where Breithaupt is enshrined. "He was involved in every aspect of BMX."

The sport, which later took on some of the same high-flying freestyle features as skateboarding, now draws crowds of thousands, fueled by energy-drink company sponsors and featured on ESPN's X Games.

Among its biggest current stars is Jamie Bestwick, a 13-time X Games BMX gold medalist, who was part of a social media outpouring in the action sports world for Breithaupt.

"Sad to read about the passing of one of the all-time greats," Bestwick said on his Twitter and Facebook pages. "Scot Breithaupt thank you for your amazing contributions and dedication to BMX."

Another BMX Hall-of-Famer, Mike King, tweeted that it's a "very sad day in the BMX world."

Breithaupt's death was unexpected, and the circumstances are murky.

Police responding to reports of a body near a shopping center in the desert city of Indio found him dead in a tent at a vacant lot, Sgt. Dan Marshall said Monday. Breithaupt, who was 57 and lived in neighboring La Quinta, had been dead for an unknown time, and there were no obvious signs of foul play, Marshall said. A cause of death had not been determined Monday.

Breithaupt was a teenager and a competitive motocross rider when one day he saw a group of kids riding their bicycles in a dirt lot near his home in Long Beach, Calif. He was inspired to organize bicycle races on a dirt track similar to those used by motocross riders.

"Those were some of the first BMX races ever," Barrette said.

Breithaupt became a BMX rider, winning several championships.

He also became an early voice for the sport, introducing it to the nation as a color commentator in the early 1980s when it was televised on ESPN at a time when the network itself was new and specialized in novelties.

Later, he started manufacturing bikes, founding the company SE Racing and creating several innovative frame designs, Barrette said.

After retiring from active racing, he sold SE and started LM Productions, producing BMX and extreme-sport shows for ESPN and Fox.

___

CHRISTOPHER WEBER, Associated Press


Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Scot Breithaupt's Guest Book

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March 2, 2024

Someone posted to the memorial.

October 30, 2015

Scott Pagnossin posted to the memorial.

July 23, 2015

MARLENE posted to the memorial.

42 Entries

March 2, 2024

Miss you my friend

Scott Pagnossin

October 30, 2015

To one of the true greats, you will be missed. RIP Scot.

MARLENE

July 23, 2015

It is never easy to lose a love one, I pray you find comfort in God's promise found at John 6:40 which says that soon we will all see our loved ones again. My deepest condolences to your family and friends.

Marlene

Brenda Pratt

July 20, 2015

Scot was highly valued, greatly admired, and a true inspiration to many. He will be fondly missed, but very much remembered for times to come. Loved ones, please allow the God of comfort to strengthen you during the difficult times ahead. My heartfelt condolences!

July 18, 2015

One summer,I believe it was in 1969, I visited Scot's family in the Long Beach area for a couple of weeks. Scot was building this mini sized bike. He asked me if I wanted to go for a ride. He wanted to show me how his bike worked. I rode his normarl sized bike. Everything was going well. As we zipped around, I just tried to keep up and do what he was doing. That's when he crossed a street and somehow crouched low and then sailed up and over the curb, landing safe and secure. Not to shy away from this challenge by Scot, five years my younger, down I crouched. I too went sailing however, I left the bike crumbled against the curb. Me, I flew, crashed, rolled, and lay whimmpering for a moment. I felt like I had just gotten tackled by Jeff back in our old football days.
I got up, licked my wounds and we checked out the damage to older bike. It was ok, except the front wheel wasn't round anymore. It had more of a zig-zag look to it. Like a pizza with one our two pieces missing.
"You weren't suppose to do that jump with that bike, didn't you know?"
'Ah, ah, ah, No."
Although not pleased, he did forgive me. After all, that's what you do for 'Old Men!'

Scot Breithhaupt
May you Rest In Peace!
My deepest and most sincere condolenses to Mrs. B, Lynda,Jeff and their family and friends!!!

I love you guys!!!

July 12, 2015

My youngest son who is no longer with us also was a part of the BMX culture, and I saw how he enjoyed it.
My sincere condolence to family and friends. May the promise at psalms 37:9,29 bring comfort to all, knowing that these words will be fulfilled.

a great day with Scot

Jeff Spinelli

July 10, 2015

Goodbye my freind...I will "C YA" on the flipside! Scot will always be remebered by most of us for his generousity, freindship, supportive nature and always treating people as equals! I always looked at him as a genious with a heart of gold. RIP my friend!

Kissimmee

July 10, 2015

My sincere sympathy for your loss. May our Loving Heavenly Father heal your broken heart and be a source of strength and comfort to you during this difficult times.

sacha Brasseur

July 10, 2015

I am French and started BMX in 1980. Even If we are far away from the US you are a mythical figure that made us dream since childhood with SE Racing. You brought magic, you are a part of the history and a part of my own history. THX and adios.

Jim

July 10, 2015

R.I.P "OM" - The true importance of your legacy will not be fully realised for many, many years. But you touched so many hearts, inspired so many minds and gave kids all over the world so much fun. A great man.

"C-Ya"

Graham Ozenbaugh

July 10, 2015

Scott rocked the house and qualified to represent the LBC! Original master The old man the OM flyer the sky belongs to the stars....RIP

John

July 9, 2015

Thank you for the greatest childhood I could ever have dreaming about and finally getting my Quadangle and riding and jumping all day long great memories you were truly one of the best
Gone way to young my friend
John, Minnesota

July 9, 2015

I know he will truly be missed. Deepest condolences to all who knew him and loved him. Soon "the God of all comfort" will remove death forever . . .

W.R. Hartman

July 9, 2015

My most sincere condolences. Met Mr.Breithaupt, Stu Thompson & Perry Kramer many years ago at a BMX track in the fields of Plainwell Michigan. Think I was 11-12yrs old @ the time, 48yrs @ present, it was a SE Racing BMX clinic & was the radest thing a kid could do. The quickness, balance, skills & agility developed in those years saved my life many times to help me get to this point in life, thank you for BMX Mr.Breithaupt sir, may your journey to the grand beyond be filled with peace.

TRIAD / MC

David J Bhaltazhar Esq

July 8, 2015

We had a lot of scuffs and scrapes over the years but never outlived the name Hell on Wheels!
RIP
~xXx~
David J Bhaltazhar Esq

r j davis

July 8, 2015

In the days of my youth, I remember people who did the things in this world that I wanted to do. Scot Breithaupt was one of those people. He was magic when it came to the possibilities of what could be done on a MX bicycle. I thought he was one of the coolist ever- R I P.:)

KM

July 8, 2015

I am sorry for your loss. Please find peace and comfort in knowing God cares for you and will help you in your time of need. At 1 Pet. 5:7, He invites you to "throw all your anxiety upon Him." Continue to rely on Him for strength during this difficult time.

Elaine

July 8, 2015

My Condolences to the Family

July 8, 2015

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Deniece Basso

July 8, 2015

Where there is a track, be it the prodigious Olympic track or an impromptu backyard homemade dirt track created via a couple of kids. A part of you will be there and live on.
I won't say "goodbye," Scot. I'll say c-ya.
The Old Man who will forever be young at heart.

July 7, 2015

thank you for all you did for bmx,you will be missed

King family

July 7, 2015

May the God of tender mercy (Psalms 83:18) grant the family peace and comfort during this time of sorrow.

July 7, 2015

Goodbye my friend. No more worries, no more grief, the party is just beginning nothing but blue skies and perfect trails. Going to miss you, but we will meet again, better be at the gate to greet me. Love and Peace be with you.

Fly High "OM", you will be greatly missed but NEVER forgotten ... C-YA

John Dalingwater

July 7, 2015

July 7, 2015

Big time hero of my childhood. Didn't know personally but his passing still leaves a hole.

Godspeed and C-ya, OM.

Eric

July 7, 2015

I pray that God watches over his family and that he stay in His memory Luke 20:38.

July 7, 2015

I'm sorry for the loss of Scott , may his family find a smile thinking of the memories that you have together with him.

July 7, 2015

You have my deepest sympathy. May the God of all comforts (Ps. 83:18) comfort you and family during this difficult time.

pete espinosa

July 7, 2015

Scot was THE influence for the genesis of the sport of bmx. This sport kept me out of trouble during my teens. May God bless Scot's family and give strength to all who loved him. Please remember all the joy he brought to anyone who knew him.

DS

July 7, 2015

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Marie

July 6, 2015

My sincerest sympathies and prayers are with the family and friends of Scot.
Psalms 37:11

Mark Silberberg

July 6, 2015

Scott was a true leader in the sport of BMX and loved. by all. Its been an honor to know SCOTTY for almost 40 years. May God bless and watch over his great sole.

Bob Reynolds

July 6, 2015

Rest in peace O.M.

D Tyler

July 6, 2015

It is always sad to hear of the death of a loved one. Hoping your family will find comfort and strength in the days to come. Psalms51:17

hedda hopper

July 6, 2015

rest in peace Scot. you will be missed.

July 6, 2015

Sorry for your loss. May the God of all comfort be with you as you cope with such a loss. Please find comfort I the memories you have of Scot and may it help to ease the pain you are feeling.

July 6, 2015

I am so sorry for your loss, please find hope in God's word the Bible Ec 9:5,10 Ps 146:4

Scott Chamberland

July 6, 2015

Rest in Peace

July 6, 2015

My sympathies to family and friends at the loss of Scot. Psalm 147:3

El

July 6, 2015

I am sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in Isiah 65:17 For look! I am creating new heavens and a new earth and the things will not be remembered, would not go up into the heart.

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March 2, 2024

Someone posted to the memorial.

October 30, 2015

Scott Pagnossin posted to the memorial.

July 23, 2015

MARLENE posted to the memorial.