Reeder a staple with harriers
Every team has one person who seems to hold it together, keeps people going through the hard times and makes it easier to bear when something goes wrong.
For the Utah State men’s and women’s cross country teams, they found their glue in the form of assistant coach Steve Reeder.
“He is one of the greatest guys I know and is just a really great example for the team,” said Trevor Ball, a member of the cross country team who has not only worked with Reeder in running, but also had him as a teacher in junior high.
Before coming to USU in 1980, Reeder coached football, basketball and track and field at Duchesne High School for a year.
The next year he started teaching and coaching at Mount Logan Middle School, where he still teaches today. After coaching for a year at MLMS, an opening came up at Utah State.
“I was interviewed by Ralph Maughn, who is a legend here at USU,” Reeder said. “One thing I will always remember about that interview was that he didn’t ask me how much experience I had coaching or with running, but he asked me if I was planning on being around for a while. Obviously, I have.”
Since Reeder has been working with the Aggies, he has inspired and touched many runners.
“A lot of coaches coach a person on how to run,” said senior Mike Nielson. “[Coach Reeder] doesn’t do that. He kind of coaches us on life. He always applies it to life, and I have learned a lot from him.”
Aggie Carol Cabanillas said, “He has always been easy to talk to and makes things seem like they are OK.”
Many of the runners agree that Reeder helps them a lot with their running in subtle ways. As Nielson sees it, he knows what every runner needs individually and can help keep them calm before races.
“He lets the athletes run their own races,” Nielson said.
For other runners, like Emily Prestwich and Ball, he helps them by researching and studying running.
“He really knows what he is doing and is always studying out what is best for the runner right at that moment,” Ball said.
Prestwich said, “He is always researching running and knows what he is doing. He just helps us have a really good time.”
Utah State cross country Head Coach Gregg Gensel goes way back with Reeder. Gensel was on the first team that Reeder worked with at USU and working together ever since has been great for both of them.
“I have always admired the way he handles the athletes,” Gensel said. “I think very highly of him. One thing I really remember about him is when he coached me my senior year. He just told me to be patient and take it one day at a time and I would improve. That year, I ran my fastest time ever.”
Another part of Reeder’s character that has helped him become a favorite amidst the team is his humility, as Nielson puts it.
“He never takes credit for when runners do good, but he always takes the blame for when they do bad,” Nielson said. “It really isn’t fair. He has a lot of influence on the team.”
Reeder shows this humility when he is talking about runners that he has worked with over the years.
“Those that were successful were the ones that got out and got to it,” he said. “All I did was try not to get in their way.”
Gensel disagrees and said that Reeder has been helping runners succeed because he “has an ability to understand what the athletes need and works with them. He has been around a long time and has got a lot of wisdom. I will always want him to stay on.”
Reeder said, “There have been a few times over the years when I thought that maybe it was time for the team to get something new, but I have a hard time leaving. I guess that I always want to see this group get through graduation, and then the next group get through, I don’t want to just leave them half-way through college.”
As Reeder looks back over the years, he considers himself really fortunate to have been able to rub shoulders with some great people and inspiring runners.
Another aspect about coaching that he has really enjoyed is watching championship teams. He loves the thrill of watching them race and knowing that they were going to get it.
As for the future, Reeder isn’t planning on leaving Logan any time soon.
“I don’t think there is any other place I’d rather be than here,” he said
-aedmunds@cc.usu.edu