Russel Reynolds, Jr.
Russel was born in Loudonville, Ohio, to his parents Russel and
Ethel Reynolds. He attended RF McMullen Elementary School, CE Budd
Middle School, and graduated from Loudonville-Perrysville High School
in 1976.
In the summer, Russel played baseball from the ages of 8 through 14.
He participated in football, basketball, and track in junior high school.
In high school he participated in three sports and earned nine varsity
letters: 4 in track, 3 in football, and 2 in basketball.
In track, he earned All-Conference honors for throwing the shot put
during his sophomore, junior and senior years. His senior year he broke
the school record in the shot put at 56’ 5 1/4”. This record still stands
today. He also earned All-Ohio honors by finishing second in the Ohio
State Track Meet.
In basketball, Reynolds was a starter in his junior and senior years
on teams that averaged 16 wins. In his junior year he averaged 12 points
a game and earned the top rebounder award. His senior year he averaged
16 points per game and had the top free-throw percentage for the year.
He ended his varsity career with a 68% shooting average from the field,
First Team All-Conference, First Team Ashland Times-Gazette All-Area,
and honorable mention All-Ohio.
Football was Russel’s favorite sport. He started at guard on offense
and nose guard and linebacker on defense for two years. These teams had
a record of 18 wins and 2 losses. The 1975-76 team was undefeated and
won the Johnny Appleseed Conference Championship. His senior year
he was voted co-captain with Tim Cowen. He earned First Team All-Conference
honors on offense and defense, First Team Ashland Times-Gazette
All-Area Awards on offense and defense, and First Team All-Ohio
honors as a guard.
After high school, Russel attended Capital University. At college he
participated in football and track, earning eight varsity letters-four in
football and four in track.
In track, he placed in the OAC conference meet his junior and senior
years in the shot put.
In football, he earned all OAC conference First Team awards his junior
and senior years. He was voted tri-captain his senior year and also
earned small college All-American status. He also won the Berea Boots
award his junior year, a prestigious award given to the best two sport
athletes at Capital.
Since his college years, Russel has been teaching and coaching for
twenty seven years. During his career, he has coached football, basketball,
and track at levels from fourth grade through college. He is presently
teaching and coaching in the Loudonville-Perrysville School District. He
recently celebrated his twenty-fifth wedding anniversary with his wife
Tami, son Lee, and daughter Erin.
Nominator:Ethel and Russel Reynolds, Sr.
