Cedarville Magazine, Fall 2017

28 | Cedarville Magazine Pete Reese Retires BY CLEM BOYD Cedarville athletics and athletic facilities wouldn’t be the same without Pete Reese ’60. Reese has served as Men’s Baseball Coach from 1989 to 1991, Assistant Basketball Coach from 1988 to 1997, Athletic Director from 1998 to 2008, then as Supervisor of Outdoor Athletic Facilities since 2008. On September 11, 2017, Reese retired from Cedarville after 29 years of service. As a student, Reese was a dominant force on Cedarville Yellow Jackets basketball teams from 1956 to 1960. In 1984, he became a charter member of the Cedarville University Athletic Hall of Fame, and his number 43 was retired by the Hall in 2005. From 1965 to 1988, Reese served in a variety of roles with The Master’s College in California. Each year, a male and female Yellow Jacket senior athlete are honored with the Pete and Joyce Reese Award, named in honor of Reese and his wife, Joyce, a Cedarville Hall of Famer for meritorious service. Reese was honored September 11 in the Jeremiah Chapel, which included a speech by legendary basketball coach Don Callan and a plaque presented by Cedarville’s president Thomas White. Students, faculty, and staff gave Reese a 60-second standing ovation. The Cedarville Athletics Division also honored Reese that day with a luncheon attended by 40 family members and friends. “I’m glad I got to end where I started,” noted Reese. “I started as a student here in 1956; I was saved here my f r e s hman yea r. I ’ ve wa t c hed Ceda r v i l l e become an amazing institution.” And Reese has helped it reach its amazing s t a t u r e . Re e s e wa s instrumental in designing and building Cedarville’s outdoor athletic facilities, including baseball, softball, track, the golf driving range, and the Elvin R. King Cross Country Course. “When we developed those new fields, I was involved putting in the sprinkler systems and laying miles of underground pipe and control wire,” he said. “We probably have about 700 sprinkler heads installed.” "I often receive compliments about the excellent athletic facilities here at Cedarville,” commented Cedarville Athletic Director Alan Geist ’83. “I have used the word ‘genius’ many times when giving credit to Pete for all he has accomplished. God has used him in a mighty way.” Reese will continue to have an impact on Cedarville through the next generation. His son, Chris ’89, has taken over for his dad and is now serving as Supervisor of Outdoor Athletic Facilities; his grandson, Jordan ’18, is a sport and exercise science major; and granddaughter Nicole ’20 is majoring in early childhood education. “The Lord has given me great opportunities,” Reese said. “I’ve gotten to do something I have a passion for, and I’ve always had a sense of excitement about my work. Go every step of the way with the Lord, and He will do amazing things for you.” Clem Boyd is Managing Editor of Cedarville Magazine . Pete Reese ’60 prepares the infield before a men's baseball game.