Idaho State ASA

News

Sports pioneer Halpern dies

By MARK NELKE
Sports editor
(October 4. 2003)

COEUR d'ALENE -- Arnold "Red" Halpern, a pioneer in youth and adult recreation locally, statewide and nationally, died Friday at Kootenai Medical Center. He was 79.

Halpern was instrumental in the growth of softball in Coeur d'Alene when he ran the city's parks and/or recreation department from 1954-85.

"If it wasn't for Red, Coeur d'Alene wouldn't have the recreation program that we have now," said city Councilman Ron Edinger, who was Coeur d'Alene's mayor from 1974-78. "Everything we have in the recreation program, he started. He basically started softball in North Idaho."

Halpern was commissioner of the Idaho Amateur Softball Association from 1958-2002, during which time he served a two-year term as national ASA president. He's a member of the ASA, Idaho, Pacific Northwest and Indiana softball halls of fame, as well as the Idaho and Inland Northwest Sports halls of fame.

"I just thought the world of him; he's one of the greatest guys that's ever been around," said Gary Ulvan, who was coached by Halpern and later played softball with him for years. "He's going to be sorely missed."

The year before Halpern was named state ASA commissioner, only 42 rec softball teams were registered in Idaho. When he retired, more than 2,000 were registered -- some 500 of them in District 1, which ranges from just south of Coeur d'Alene to the Canadian border.

Many summer weekends, fields in Coeur d'Alene and at Quad Park in Post Falls are filled with teams playing in tournaments.

"He was a true professional," said Steve Anthony, who succeeded him as director of the Coeur d'Alene Recreation Department and commissioner of the Idaho Amateur Softball Association. "Red was in the parks and recreation profession before it was a profession.

"I think he'll be known for his love of the park system, and the kids. He loved to be able to provide activities for the kids," Anthony added.

Halpern was instrumental in bringing six national ASA tournaments to Idaho -- all to Coeur d'Alene. The first was a girls 15-and-under slowpitch tourney in 1976. Years ago, it was not uncommon for up to 1,000 people to attend the championship rounds of such tournaments at McEuen Playfield.

"As Coeur d'Alene was forming, he was one of those guys who helped the town develop," Anthony said.

He was director of a committee that started the Junior Olympic program for softball, paving the way for girls softball nationwide. While national ASA president, he led the push that helped softball become an Olympic sport.

Halpern helped develop McEuen Playfield, where the Coeur d'Alene American Legion team continues to play baseball, and many adult and youth teams play softball.

He pitched on a local rec team until age 73. He refereed college baseball and basketball games in the area.

"You go around, and there're communities (statewide and nationwide) that pattern their youth programs after what he designed," Ulvan said. "He was a real pioneer."

Born in Hutchinson, Minn., Halpern moved to Coeur d'Alene from Weiser in 1954. He was parks and/or recreation director until 1985, when he was replaced by Anthony.

Halpern is survived by his wife, Ann, son Mike, stepson Scott and three grandchildren.

Funeral arrangements are pending.