E.M. “Speed” Castillo
A long-time educator whose two children graduated from AHS, Speed is the most recognized referee in Orange County sports history. Since 1959, he has officiated thousands of high school football and basketball games and was named the California Coaches Association’s Official of the Year for his contributions of time, service and dedication to the coaching profession and athletics.
Speed was born in Bernalillo, New Mexico, and graduated from Flagstaff High School Hall in 1959. He’s a member of his school’s Hall of Fame for his basketball career, but also competed in track, reaching all-star status, and played.
How did he get the name Speed (or sometimes Speedy?). He ran the 400 at Flagstaff High in 50 seconds and covered the 800 in 2:10. His speed also came in handy when maneuvering about the playing areas of events in which he has served as a referee.
Since 1959, Speed has officiated thousands of games, mostly in football and basketball, on the high school and college level. If there’s been an important post in the officiating hierarchy in OC, Speed has occupied it. As an official in the Pacific-8 Conference, he’s whistled USC’s Paul Westphal for charging, Lew Alcindo for traveling and gave a “T” to guys like Bill Walton and Swen Nater.
His memories of his long career include being paid a pair of socks for officiating in a HB tournament, officiating Kareen Abdul Jabar’s first game in OC, officiating for legendary coach John Wooden in the old Pac 8. Officiating basketball for Troy High when Mark Wulfmeyer was making half-court shots.
His name is truly synonymous with Orange County sports, to the degree that Speed was named one of the 10 most influential people in OC sports in 1994. Along with officiating, he has been president of just about every officials association in OC. Speed also served as Orange County’s first liaison to CIF officials for all sports and has served as the OC instructional chairperson for basketball and football.
But, first, Speed is an educator. For 33 years, he was an administrator in the AUHSD. During this time, he served as teacher, coach, counselor, child welfare and attendance counselor, coordinator of federal projects and administrator.
While he stopped officiating in 2002, he continues working in the officiating world as an evaluator of officials, as well as working as a supervisor for the Concordia University student teaching program. He also serves as personnel commissioner with the Anaheim Union High School District and as chairman and state rep of equal education opportunity committee for Association of California Schools.
Speed earned his master’s degree from Arizona State University and is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Korean War and with the Strategic Air Command.
But his legacy includes a life-long love of young people and helping his community. He, along with friend Frances Martinez, who was inducted in the AHS Hall of Fame last year, often helped students who could afford graduation expenses and needed other help. He has also been active with Anaheim High’s athletic programs.
Its student, faculty and alumni, are proud to induct E.M. Speed Castillo into the Anaheim High School Hall of Fame.
