Jim Reeder
Encyclopedia
James Bartlett Reeder was an Ohio State University
All American who was a member of the 1943 Big Ten championship baseball team. Reeder was named a charter member of the California State University Hall of Fame at the same time as tennis great, Billie Jean King
. The baseball field at California State University, Los Angeles bears Jim Reeder's name.
At Ohio State, Jim Reeder lettered in three varsity sports: football, basketball, and baseball. His athletic and academic career was interrupted by World War II
, as was the case with one of his college buddies and fellow baseball players, Keo Nakama
. Serving a four-year-stint as a machine gun
ner for the Marines
in World War II, Jim Reeder earned the Purple Heart
and Bronze Star. At the end of World War II, Reeder earned his B.S. degree from O.S.U. and later his M.S. from Indiana University in 1953. He taught and coached in Oberlin, Ohio
, and Ypsilanti, Michigan. He mentored countless young men during his years as a coach, including College Football's Hall of Fame Jim Young
.
In 1955, Reeder moved his family west to Los Angeles where he became the baseball coach for the then fledgling California State University, Los Angeles
. He remained Cal State's Head Coach and assisted major league baseball teams with scouting until his untimely death at the age of 47 in January, 1972. He coached seven All-Americans during his short life and never had a losing season at Cal State L.A.. At the time of his death, the university renamed the baseball field the Jim Reeder Memorial Field. When the field was being built, Coach Reeder used his knowledge of and familiarity with professional baseball fields to assist in the design of this field, and to this day, descriptions of Reeder Field include the fact that it is considered to be unique among college baseball fields. Upon entering the field, visitors will see a bronze plaque with a likeness of Coach Reeder with the Shakespearean quote from Julius Caesar: "Say to all the world, This was a man!"
Jim Reeder grew up in Columbus, Ohio
, the middle of three sons born to Faye Bartlett Reeder, Phd., a member of D.A.R..
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
All American who was a member of the 1943 Big Ten championship baseball team. Reeder was named a charter member of the California State University Hall of Fame at the same time as tennis great, Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King is a former professional tennis player from the United States. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. King has been an advocate against sexism in sports and society...
. The baseball field at California State University, Los Angeles bears Jim Reeder's name.
At Ohio State, Jim Reeder lettered in three varsity sports: football, basketball, and baseball. His athletic and academic career was interrupted by World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, as was the case with one of his college buddies and fellow baseball players, Keo Nakama
Keo Nakama
Keo Nakama was an American swimmer.Nakama was born in the town of Puʻunene, Hawaii on the island of Maui. His swimming career included a world record 20:29 in the mile swim, Big Ten Conference titles at Ohio State, and numerous national and international victories...
. Serving a four-year-stint as a machine gun
Machine gun
A machine gun is a fully automatic mounted or portable firearm, usually designed to fire rounds in quick succession from an ammunition belt or large-capacity magazine, typically at a rate of several hundred rounds per minute....
ner for the Marines
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in World War II, Jim Reeder earned the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and Bronze Star. At the end of World War II, Reeder earned his B.S. degree from O.S.U. and later his M.S. from Indiana University in 1953. He taught and coached in Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin, Ohio
Oberlin is a city in Lorain County, Ohio, United States, to the south and west of Cleveland. Oberlin is perhaps best known for being the home of Oberlin College, a liberal arts college and music conservatory with approximately 3,000 students...
, and Ypsilanti, Michigan. He mentored countless young men during his years as a coach, including College Football's Hall of Fame Jim Young
Jim Young
James Norman "Dirty Thirty" Young is a former professional American football and Canadian football player. Young played running back and wide receiver for the NFL's Minnesota Vikings for one season , and the CFL's BC Lions for twelve seasons...
.
In 1955, Reeder moved his family west to Los Angeles where he became the baseball coach for the then fledgling California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles
California State University, Los Angeles is a public comprehensive university, part of the California State University system...
. He remained Cal State's Head Coach and assisted major league baseball teams with scouting until his untimely death at the age of 47 in January, 1972. He coached seven All-Americans during his short life and never had a losing season at Cal State L.A.. At the time of his death, the university renamed the baseball field the Jim Reeder Memorial Field. When the field was being built, Coach Reeder used his knowledge of and familiarity with professional baseball fields to assist in the design of this field, and to this day, descriptions of Reeder Field include the fact that it is considered to be unique among college baseball fields. Upon entering the field, visitors will see a bronze plaque with a likeness of Coach Reeder with the Shakespearean quote from Julius Caesar: "Say to all the world, This was a man!"
Jim Reeder grew up in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
, the middle of three sons born to Faye Bartlett Reeder, Phd., a member of D.A.R..