William A. Reid

A man of strong integrity and leadership skills, William Reid was a player, a college administrator, and a coach who made a major impact on the structure of basketball during its formative years. A former All-State basketball player who led his high school to a state title, Reid was a two-sport star at Colgate University. Reid served in the military during World War I and when he was stationed in Europe he played for the team that won the American Expeditionary Forces tournament championship in 1919. Reid was Director of Athletics at the University of Detroit, before he returned to his alma mater as basketball coach from 1919 to 1928. Known as an outstanding bench coach, compiling an impressive 135-52 record. He became active in collegiate administration in 1936, beginning a 20-year run as Colgate’s director of athletics. A valued member of several key organizations, Reid was the president of Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference from 1944 to 1945 and director of its Executive Council from 1945 to 1949. Also served as vice president of the NCAA from 1942 to 1946.