Campus Closeup: Steve Reed

Steve Reed has been a sports enthusiast since he was a kid. As the associate director of operations in Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports, he gets to work with each of the athletic teams and at many of the events occurring in the sports complex.

 

“There’s a lot of variety in the position I have and that is the feature that makes my position challenging and interesting,” he said.

 

Reed has been at NMU for almost 30 years. When he first started, he handled intramural sports programs, was involved in the daily operation of C.B. Hedgcock Fieldhouse and the PEIF, and assisted with event coordination for both facilities.

When athletics and recreational facilities and services merged, his responsibilities did as well. His current duties cover a lot of ground, ranging from serving as a member of the department management team for athletic home games to various departmental projects. Reed also works with department revenue generation through sponsorships and advertising.

 

“Even though you know what’s planned to occur at events, it’s the unplanned requests that occur that staff need to be ready to handle. These situations are the challenges for all staff working the events,” Reed said.

 

Reed enjoys observing the changes at NMU and says technology is one of the biggest. He described campus in the late '70s as being very traditional and believes there are many more opportunities available to students today.

 

Reed is beginning to meet students now who are the children of students he knew in the ‘70s. He is pleased to continue his friendships with these former students and to form new friendships with their children.

 

His wife, Mary Beth, works for NMU and his son is a senior here. Reed's daughter graduated with a teaching degree from NMU.

 

As a child, Reed spent his summers playing baseball and his winters playing basketball. He attributes his love of sports to his upbringing.

“In a small Illinois town, sports were very important for us growing up in that kind of environment,” he said. “Most of my hobbies are related to sports in general."

 

Reed is a fan of the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals. He also enjoys working around his yard between games.

 

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Updated: March 14, 2007

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