Track Starter Dean Hebert Retires After 25 Years

After officiating track and field meets for 25 years, serving as a starter for 20 years, and working 17 seasons with the Great Hearts Middle School League, Dean Hebert has fired his starting pistol for the last time and walked off the running track into retirement at the age of 70. 

“I’ve officiated in about 500 meets, been a starter of about 430 meets, which means I’ve probably had about 30,000 starts of races,” he said. Hebert’s history with track and field began when he started running as a sophomore in high school and continued to run into his 50’s. “I guess it’s in my blood because I’ve been in track and field for 55 years.” 

Jon Rickey, the Great Hearts Arizona Network Director of Athletics, says that Herbert’s retirement will be felt by Great Hearts Athletics. “I don’t know Great Hearts Middle School League Track without Dean,” he shared. “He has been here from almost the beginning and has helped shape our league into the best Middle School Track league in the state! He does so much in helping make our athletes better as runners, but at the same time has given them an environment where they can be comfortable and ultimately perform at their best. I always know that things are in good hands when Dean is around and he has helped so many athletes,  coaches, and myself over the years to truly appreciate the beauty of track and how to honor it.”

A track and field starter is the official responsible for controlling the athletes at the starting line, ensuring a fair and equal start to every race, and firing the starting gun. And while Hebert noted many changes and technological advances in officiating a meet over the years, his love for the sport has remained steadfast.

As he has officiated many meets for several different schools and leagues along the way, Hebert sings the praises of Great Hearts meets, the athletes, and their families. “This is done the right way and there is no middle school meet you will see anywhere done like this,” he said. “I really enjoy working with Great Hearts. I like the culture they have and that they foster the right values when it comes to competition.”

Rickey remembers one of many times when Hebert went above and beyond his duties to encourage an athlete. “We had an elite runner who was a shoo-in to win the 100 as she was undefeated that year,” he recalled. “She false started, which means she started too early and was disqualified. She was so heart-broken. Dean was the official that had to disqualify her, however, he made her feel so cared for, even though she was so upset at herself, that she was able to learn from her mistake and went on to have a very successful high school career.” Rickey added that this was just one of many times that Herbert has made an indelible mark on Great Hearts athletes and the track programs.

That’s why it was so fitting that Hebert’s final meet to officiate was a Great Hearts Middle School League meet. He was recognized for his years of service during the meet and was gifted luggage, a fitting parting gift as Herbert and his wife plan to travel Europe, spending extended time in France.

When asked how he felt about retiring after so many years, he replied with a tight throat, “I don’t know.” He took a brief moment to compose himself and added, “Mixed feelings, mixed feelings. I’ll miss it, but it’s time to move on to bigger and better things also, you know. I have a practicality about it when it comes to life, but there’s no doubt I’ll miss it. This has been part of my life for a very long time.”

Hebert will be greatly missed on the track field. Please join Great Hearts in expressing our gratitude for the many lives he has touched over the years and wishing him many more years of a truly flourishing and rich retirement.

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