Anyone who has jumped from a plane once commands respect. Doing it 36 times as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division? That’s the stuff of legends. For Saul Pacheco, now 88, those daring jumps in the 1960s were just the opening chapter of a life dedicated to discipline, teaching, and sport.
You can find him today in a familiar setting: sitting in a lawn chair at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational, surrounded by fellow starters in their iconic red suits. It’s a role he’s mastered for an astonishing 49 years, but his journey to the starter's pistol began far from the track.
After graduating from UCLA, Pacheco aimed to return to his alma mater, Wilmington Banning High, as a teacher. When no positions were available, fate sent him to rival Carson High. There, he became a cornerstone of the football program, coaching the offensive line for over two decades under legendary City Section coach Gene Vollnogle.
His transition to track official in 1977 was a natural fit. A jump master already skilled with procedures and commands, he simply traded a parachute for a starting pistol. The real challenge was mastering the intricate rulebook of track and field—a test he passed with flying colors.
For 25 years, his sharp "crack!" began races at Arcadia. He later served as meet referee, the respected authority settling any disputes. His legacy is cemented not just in his longevity, but in the generations of starters he has mentored, patiently teaching them the ropes.
This fall, his contributions will be permanently honored with induction into the Carson Hall of Fame, recognizing his impact as a coach and athletic director.
Pacheco’s story is one of remarkable resilience, shaped by a vibrant childhood as the fifth of 13 children. With a father building minesweepers for the Navy and a mother managing their bustling household, competition was a way of life—especially at the dinner table. Yet, as Pacheco recalls, it was a home filled with laughter and unity, a foundation for the teamwork he would later champion on the field and track.
From parachuting through the skies to starting the races for countless young athletes, Saul Pacheco’s life is a powerful testament to where dedication and service can lead. As he prepares to retire his pistol this spring, the track world will salute a true pioneer.