Coach Russ Spicer dies at 87

The South Jersey sports world is mourning the passing of legendary football and baseball coach Russ Spicer, who died yesterday at the age of 87.

A Haddonfield resident, Mr. Spicer compiled a 603-287 record in 42 seasons of high school baseball coaching at Haddonfield, Moorestown, and Paulsboro. (He also coached one game at Cinnaminson, but gave up the job for health reasons.) In addition, Mr. Spicer served as the head baseball coach at Rutgers-Camden for two seasons.

He also was Haddonfield's head football coach from 1953 to 1973, compiling a 123-57-8 record.

"When people talk of records and he obviously took a lot of pride in that, he also took a great deal of satisfaction in the relationships with his players," said his son Chris, a 1966 graduate of Haddonfield, who played football and baseball for his father.

A viewing will be on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at Kain-Murphy Funeral Services in Haddonfield. The funeral service will take place 10 a.m. Monday at the First Presbyterian Church of Haddonfield.

- Marc Narducci