It goes without saying that it is the athletes and coaches of any sports program who are the most identified by the public. It is the athletes and coaches for whom the fans cheer. They are the people who receive the awards and are in the spotlight. But there is another aspect needed for successful organizations: it is those who work behind the scenes to support the programmatic efforts of others. Without them success would be immeasurably more difficult. In this regard, Drury University’s sports program is no exception. Nationwide, Drury athletics has long been synonymous with “excellence in athletics and academics.” Many people have played important parts throughout Drury's history and some have had important roles in advocating and advancing its athletic program. Today, one such person is being honored for his vision, encouragement and continuous support--support that is now in its fifth decade.
Lyle D. Reed attended Parkview High School and completed his senior year at North Kansas City High School. He attended Drury and earned his degree in 1970, majoring in Economics. At that time only a handful of Drury varsity sports competed at the intercollegiate level. It was also during that period that a young coach by the name of Bill Harding was gaining national attention. Harding was building successful teams, in terms of wins and losses, but also teams that were built on the “student-athlete” model. A model that Lyle proclaims is one of Drury's proudest achievements. From then through the present he has committed his time, talent and resources to maintaining the “Drury Way,” including being co-chair of the Trustee Science Center and a backer of the O'Reilly Family Event Center. “Lyle is a good example of a person who has maintained his loyalty to Drury for decades,” stated Harding. “As an alumnus, booster, and an active member of Drury University's Board of Trustees he has always been interested in seeing the athletic program succeed and grow. Without peope like Lyle Reed none of what we see today would have been possible.”
After receiving his undergraduate degree and, two years later, his Masters in Business Administration, Reed taught in the Drury Evening College. He also completed the executive management program at Columbia University, New York. Reed held several executive positions with the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway and Burlington Northern Railroad before completing his 30 year career as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago & Central Pacific Railroad in 1996. He is presently Chairman of Foretravel, Inc., a manufacturer of luxury motorcoaches, in Nacogdoches, Texas. Lyle received Drury's Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001 and was inducted into the Breech School Hall of Fame in 2004. In addition to his 16 years as a Drury Trustee he also served as board chair for Indiana Wesleyan University where he received an honorary Doctor of Business Management in 1999.
Lyle and his wife Nell have resided in Texas since 1996, as do their three adult children-Kim, Christy and James. His mother, Marjorie Reed, still lives in Springfield and attends an occasional game when her health permits. Although a Springfield native, his railroad positions have caused them to relocate around the country, ending up in Frisco, Texas, which ironically is named after the Frisco Railroad. They both have long been actively involved in Campus Crusade for Christ International and are members of Stonebriar Community Church, founded by Chuck Swindoll.
For his overall dedication to Drury, and specifically for championing Drury's Athletics for more than four decades, Lyle D. Reed, is on November 24, 2012, enshrined in the Drury Sports Hall of Fame, as a member of the Class of 2012.
