Submitted photo Fort Dodge’s Fran Long stands with his 2018 John Lowry Distinguished Service Award in Ames on Saturday.

Fran Long was flattered, of course, when he first heard the 2018 John Lowry Distinguished Service Award would be presented to him by the Iowa Association of Track Officials.

“I joked, though, that this is the kind of thing they give you when they hope you’re finally hang it up for good soon,” Long laughed.

In reality, the sport continues to rely on Long’s expertise almost daily — as it has for well over four decades at varying levels and locations. The Fort Dodge resident remains ardently committed to seeing both the letter and spirit of track and field laws through.

“‘Passion’ is definitely a word I use a lot,” said Long, a Fort Dodge resident for nearly 47 years. “I am fortunate enough to have an understanding of the athlete and the coach’s mentality during a meet; what they need and what they’re expecting during a competition. The goal is always to make the event go as smoothly as possible, and be fair for everyone involved.

“This sport has been good to me, and I take a lot of pride in what I do. It’s fun to work with a wide variety of people (across the state) who share your interests and drive to make a meet work efficiently — even if it’s sometimes done behind the scenes.”

Long was a high school track standout at Irwin, a small community located 100 miles southeast of Ames. He then competed for the Iowa State Cyclones while working toward becoming a teacher and coach.

After graduating from ISU, Long interviewed for and accepted a position in the Fort Dodge Community School District during the spring of 1971.

“Don Miller told me there were openings in the science department and on the track and field staff,” Long said. “I first came up on a Saturday, then interviewed on a Monday and got the job. I worked under the legendary J.H. Nitzke (the track’s namesake at Dodger Stadium), and I owe a lot to him. He passed the love for the sport on to me in a lot of new ways (other than as a competitor).”

Long remained involved in the coaching side until his kids were old enough to run. Two of his children, Christie and Andy, excelled in track and field at both Fort Dodge Senior High and Iowa State.

“(Long’s wife) Barb and I wanted to make sure we could follow the kids and watch them compete all over the country, so officiating just worked better with my family schedule,” Long said. “I got out of coaching and started working track meets in the early 1980s.”

Long retired as a biology, botany and human anatomy teacher at FDSH in 2013. With the added free time, Long added more track and field meets to his season schedule.

“I work at about 40 events a year now in some capacity,” Long said. “Between the indoor and outdoor season, basically every Saturday from January through the end of the school year is booked.”

Long is a mainstay at local meets — including the venerable Dodger Relays — but also provides services for colleges ranging from the Iowa Conference through Div. I. Depending on what’s needed, he will fill roles as an official, an umpire, or a meet operator.

Long has also been an athlete, a coach or an official at the Drake Relays “almost every spring” since his junior high days nearly 60 years ago.

“I feel very fortunate to have such a long-standing relationship with the Dodger Relays locally and the Drake Relays,” Long said. “It means a lot to me to uphold both the tradition and honor of meets like that. I’ve gotten to know so many track coaches and officials through the years who care a great deal about this sport and want things done the right way. I take that responsibility very seriously.

“And of course, now that we have the country’s largest high school (co-ed) state meet (at Drake Stadium in the spring) — that’s always a special time of the year. I have a lot of fun working with the people involved. The friendships and camaraderie you establish with those who share your passion … that’s why you keep doing it.”

Long still teaches part-time at both FDSH and St. Edmond.

“I knew when I retired (nearly six years ago) that I wasn’t ready to be completely done,” Long said. “I teach two periods of college-level human anatomy at FDSH in the morning, then go to St. Edmond in the afternoon. I really enjoy still being in the classroom, but also having more flexibility with my schedule.

“Fortunately, the principals and administrators I’ve worked with have always been very cooperative and understanding. I can’t thank them enough for allowing me to stay actively involved (as an official).”

Long, who was honored on Saturday night at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames, has also been named Iowa’s cross country official of the year (in 2006), boys track official of the year (2011), and girls track official of the year (2013) by the Iowa High School Track and Field and Cross Country organization.

The Longs have three children: Christie, Andy and Julie.

“My family has always been so supportive,” Long said. “I’m really lucky, and this is awfully nice to be recognized like this by my peers.

“To me, (track and field) is an important sport and something everyone should consider. Some (athletes) use it as a way to stay in shape for another sport, but others find talents in areas they never realized and they can showcase it as a runner or a thrower. It’s a good experience both physically and mentally for kids of all ages.”