by Anna Grace Galkin, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University will recognize brothers Pete and Gene Reese at the Pete Reese and Gene Reese Athletic Fields, near Yellow Jacket Soccer Complex directly following the varsity women's 2 p.m. soccer match on October 2.
Set during homecoming weekend and open to the public, this ceremony will allow alumni to show their appreciation for the Reese brothers’ generous building of the Cedarville University athletic fields, named after them in 2020.
After a successful career at The Master’s University in Los Angeles, Pete returned to his alma mater to serve as the assistant men’s basketball coach from 1988 to 1997 and as director of athletics from 1998-2008. He supervised the outdoor athletic facilities staff from 2008 until his retirement in 2017.
As a student-athlete on the Yellow Jacket basketball team, Pete secured Cedarville’s No. 7 all-time record for shooting and No. 8 all-time record for rebounds. He is currently a member of Cedarville High School Hall of Honor, Cedarville University’s Athletic Hall of Fame, The Master’s University Hall of Fame, and The National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Hall of Fame.
While overseeing the construction of the athletic fields, Pete enlisted the help of his brother, Gene, whose lifelong experience as a Greene County farmer provided the needed skill and equipment to get the job done.
In addition to supporting Cedarville University, Gene had also invested in the village of Cedarville by purchasing three apartment and business buildings and supporting community activities like the Cedarville Township Volunteer Fire Department’s pancake breakfast and the CedarFest Labor Day celebration. Gene passed away in November 2019.
"Cedarville University is thankful for the contributions made to our athletic fields by Pete and Gene Reese and their families,” said Chris Cross, interim athletic director and assistant athletic director for compliance and operations. “Through the vision and service of the Reese family, the Yellow Jackets athletic fields have set a standard that reflects Cedarville University's commitment to excellence in honoring our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
“It is only through their hard work and dedication that Cedarville University is able to provide the best possible fields for our student-athletes to practice and compete upon.”
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 4,715 undergraduate, graduate, and online students in more than 150 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, strong graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and high student engagement ranking. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.