Eugene and Blanche Reid at the 2006 track and field alumni banquet
with track and field coaches Gary Towne, Steve Irving, Kirk Freitas (first
three on the left), and Oliver Hanf (far right)
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Track Memories Last a Lifetime
When Eugene Reid was setting high-jump records in 1932, the track
and field program looked a bit different than it does today. The
team was smaller, there was only a men’s team, and the track
was made of dirt. But Reid’s memories of friendships and
championships have lasted through the years.
At 92 years old, Reid (Junior College Certificate, ’33) is
the oldest known living CSU, Chico track alumnus. He has made the
trek to Chico from his home in Richmond, California, for the track
and field alumni banquet for the past five years.
His grandson, Gary Lundmark (attended fall ’98–spring ’02),
says the annual banquets are something his grandfather “simply
will not miss.” Lundmark says the banquet brings back countless
memories for his grandfather. One of his favorites is competing
against famed Olympian Jesse Owens in a college meet. “Although
he [Reid] did not place in the event, it remains a proud day in
his life,” says Lundmark.
Men’s track and field head coach Kirk Freitas (BA, Physical
Education, ’71; Credential, ’72; MA, Education, ’74)
first learned about Reid in 1978 while searching for track alumni.
Years later, Freitas received a message from Reid asking about
the track alumni banquet. “He was hilarious,” recalls
Freitas. “He actually drove up by himself the first time,
and he hasn’t missed one since.”
To honor the legend, Freitas and others dug up a 1932 photo of
Reid and presented it as a surprise. “He was pretty much
touched,” says Freitas. “This guy is priceless, and
he was so proud.”
Lundmark says the photo presentation was a special moment in his
grandfather’s life. “That was big because he didn’t
know that picture existed,” says Lundmark. “He was
shocked that they had gone through so much trouble digging it up
in the archives.”
Today the photo is on Reid’s headboard. “It makes him
smile every day,” says Lundmark.
After receiving his certificate from CSU, Chico, Reid went on to
the University of California, Berkeley. He later earned a PhD in
chemistry from the University of Michigan and worked for Chevron
Corporation as a chemist. He and his wife, Blanche, raised two
children and now have five grandchildren.
Lundmark says his grandfather never missed an opportunity to show
his grandchildren around Chico—from the orchard where his
house once stood to his after-school hangout at 9th and Broadway
streets. “He also took me to the Diamond Match company, where
his dad used to work,” says Lundmark.
Despite having lived and worked around the country, Reid came back
to Chico when he wanted to start a chemistry endowment to help
deserving students. “It’s the close ties to the community
and how they treat him,” says Lundmark. “He thought
that they could benefit the most from it.”
Because of health concerns, Reid said the 2006 banquet may be his
last. To show appreciation to the track and field program, Reid
presented coaches with a photo inscribed “You are an inspiration!” The
framed photo was originally mailed to Reid by runner Sarah Hallas,
who competed in her senior year of cross country in 2002. Lundmark
says his grandfather gave the memento in the hope that “other
athletes would find inspiration from it.”
Stephanie Miles, Public Affairs and Publications
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