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The IAAF is deeply saddened to receive the news that Association of Track and Field Statisticians (ATFS) Secretary General Scott Davis (1943-2010), one of international athletics’ most respected and popular figures, passed away on 18 August, aged 66, at his Cerritos home at 2:45pm Pacific time.
A cancer survivor for many years, Scott had overcome numerous health setbacks during the last decade, but had been very ill since returning from his final announcing assignment at the IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton. In and out of hospital for several weeks, he elected to spend his final days at home in the company of his wife, Cheryl, and family.
His passing is an immeasurable loss to his family, his legion of friends, the ATFS (which he served as Secretary General since 1994, as principal researcher of Volume V of the historical series, and as a vital supporter of countless statistical efforts), Federation of American Statisticians of Track (FAST) which he co-founded in 1983 and led throughout its existence, and to the world of athletics, where his many contributions will be long remembered.
Scott was, for many, the public address voice of track & field in the United States, especially at his alma mater - UCLA - where he was on the microphone for Bruin meets for the past 28 years. More locally, he was a member of our UCLA football stat crew for more than 20 years and his chair in Suite 302 at the Rose Bowl will remain open this coming season as a memorial.
One of the announcers at the senior 1999 World Championships in Seville, Scott became the voice of the World Juniors and Youth championships for the IAAF in the last decade. Had illness not led to the cancellation of his trip in the last few days, he would have been in Singapore at this week's Youth Olympic Games relaying his passion and enthusiasm for our sport to the spectators.
With his death the world of athletics has been robbed of an inspirational figure, a generous and warm character, who possessed an encyclopaedic knowledge of our sport.
IAAF offers its deepest and sincerest condolences to Scott’s friends, family and colleagues.
IAAF
