Geneseo to honor Reade
It’s been more than 12 years since Bob Reade retired, but the famed football coach remains as humble as ever.
But that hasn’t stopped the Geneseo faithful from giving Reade his due.
In a little more than two months, the Geneseo High School football field will bear Reade’s name.
Bob Reade Field will be unveiled at the Maple Leafs’ Week 2 game against Moline on Sept. 5.
Reade, who compiled a 146-21-4 record as Geneseo coach from 1962 to 1978, will be in attendance, but don’t expect a long-winded speech.
“I still haven’t made a tackle yet on that field,” he said. “It belongs to all the players. I think it’s a tremendous honor.”
Running Reade’s renowned Wing-T offense, the Leafs won three straight Illinois state football championships from 1976 to 1978. They won 52 consecutive games in the process.
Steve Fiers played for Reade before graduating from Geneseo in 1975. Now the vice president of the Geneseo Booster Club, Fiers is responsible for putting up the signage at the field.
“I think it’s well-deserved and it’s appropriate,” Fiers said. “Bob’s teams have some of the best records in Illinois high school history. It’s a tribute to his leadership.”
The movement to bestow the honor upon Reade began this spring. A committee to pursue the plan was formed, and the school board approved the naming of the field June 11.
The field will feature signs at both entrances as well as a plaque hung near the scoreboard detailing Reade’s various records.
In 16 seasons coaching Augustana after leaving Geneseo, Reade went 146-23-1 and won four straight Division III national titles.
Fiers said plans are in the works for a dinner with Reade and his former players the day after the naming ceremony. Reade hadn’t heard of it, but he would welcome the gesture.
“That’s what we’re always proud of, the families and the lives they have now,” Reade said. “I hope the discipline and athletics helped them. High school football should still be that, even with the money and other things that make it like the professional game.
“We kept it a game.”
Geneseo football scoreboard features video capabilities
In addition to a newly named field, Geneseo football fans will be greeted by a state-of-the-art scoreboard this fall.
Replacing a 25-year-old relic, the new scoreboard features video capabilities, which is a first for any Illinois high school, according to Geneseo athletic director Travis Mackey.
The scoreboard was installed in the spring and was used to scroll through senior pictures during May’s high school graduation ceremonies. Mackey said the board should last at least 25 years.
Andrew Petersen can be contacted at (563) 383-2288 or apetersen@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qcvarsity.com.