Jack Springer

Year Inducted: 2023

A West Virginia University graduate and former major in the US Army, Jack Springer served as Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Statesville 1954-1982. Springer established Statesville as the unofficial horseshoe pitching capital of North Carolina, instituting the Carolina Dogwood Festival Tournament in 1969, the Statesville Autumn Open in 1970 and the North Carolina Recreation and Park Association Tournament in 1976. Springer’s hard work landed two World Tournaments held in Statesville in 1979 and 1983, serving as World Tournament Director both years. Springer served as North Carolina Horseshoe Pitchers Association Secretary/Treasurer 1978-1990.

Statesville’s famed horseshoe park was named Jack H. Springer Horseshoe Courts in his honor in 1983. He received the Fellow Award, the highest recognition a North Carolina recreation director can receive, from the NC Recreation and Park Association in 1969 and received its Meritorious Service Plaque in 1981. Considered the greatest promoter of horseshoes in North Carolina 1969-1990, Springer was the first North Carolinian inducted into the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

Springer was very involved in the community serving as President of the Iredell County Cancer Association and President of the Carolina Dogwood Festival. He was passionate about youth baseball and served on the national Board of Directors of Babe Ruth Baseball. Springer was inducted into the Iredell County Sports Hall of Fame with the Harold Johnson Community Partner Award in 2023.