Donald F. "Speedy" Hull

HULL Col. Donald "Speedy" F. Hull, 94, passed away Sunday evening, April 1, 2007, at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his four children, Dorothy Ann Carrick, Dona England-Afek (Paul) of Columbus, Ohio, Debbie Krikun (Andy) of New York and Don Hull (Beth) of New Jersey; grandchildren, Bryan and Brendan England of Upper Arlington, Daisy Krikun of New York, and John Carrick of California; great-grandson, Ricky Hammar; and many nieces and nephews. Col. Hull will have a military funeral at West Point, New York, where he will be buried with his wife, Dorothy. Col. Don "Speedy" Hull, member of the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame's class of 1992, was a major figure in the national and international amateur sports scene for a quarter of a century from 1962-1986. He worked as the Executive Director of the Amateur Athletic Union from 1962-1978. He was best known for bringing athletes of the United States and the Soviet Union together during the height of The Cold War. In 1978 he was elected to the highest position in the world for amateur boxing -- President of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA). He held this position until 1986, being one of the few Americans ever to hold the Presidency of an International and Olympic sports association. He worked tirelessly for the U.S. Amateur Boxing Federation (now known as USA Boxing) and served as the President of USA Amateur Boxing several times. During his USA Boxing Presidency at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games, US boxers won an unprecedented nine gold medals -- more than doubling the USA medal count at any previous Olympic Games. He graduated from West Point in 1939 and served his country as a veteran of WW II and the Korean War. Dona and Paul England-Afek welcome friends of the family to celebrate their father's life at their and his home, 839 Katherine's Ridge Lane, Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, April 4, 2007, between 5-8 p.m. for food and refreshments. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations in memory of Col. Don Hull's to the Special Olympics, 3303 Winchester Pike, Columbus, Ohio 43232.