Reeder Named TTown Boys Coach

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Published on June 18 2018 9:15 pm
Last Updated on June 19 2018 7:53 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Chester "Chet" Reeder has been hired as the boys varsity basketball coach at Teutopolis High School.

Reeder has served as varsity boys coach at Sullivan the past five seasons. He succeeds Jason Hanson, who resigned after this past season and three seasons on the job.

Reeder is a Sullivan High School graduate. He also graduated from Eureka College. He has taught PE and Driver's Ed at Sullivan and also helped as an assistant coach for the Sullivan Okaw Valley football team.

Reeder and wife Jessica were married in 2014. They have a daughter, Kristen. Jessica has also worked in the Sullivan school district.

Reeder's brother, Stote, is boys varsity basketball coach at Jerseyville. Chester worked as a volunteer assistant for his brother after graduating from Eureka. He then went to Chrisman, where he served as an assistant, before heading back home to Sullivan.

Teutopolis Superintendent Bill Fritcher released this statement following Reeder's hiring:

"Mr. Reeder comes to our district from Sullivan, Illinois. Mr. Reeder’s teaching experience has been in Sullivan and Chrisman. He has been the varsity basketball coach at Sullivan since 2013. During his time as head coach, his teams had a streak of 3 winning seasons for the first time since 2003. They were Okaw Conference champions in 2014 - the same year Mr. Reeder was the Mattoon Journal-Gazette Coach of the Year. He was assistant basketball coach at Sullivan from 2008-2013, junior varsity coach at Chrisman from 2006-2008, and assistant coach at Jersey High School in the 2005-2006 season. Mr. Reeder played collegiately at McKendree University and Eureka College. In high school, Mr. Reeder was a 3-sport athlete competing in baseball and football as well as basketball. He comes from a family of educators. His wife, mother, brother, and sister are all current or former educators. We are excited for Mr. Reeder to lead our basketball program and look forward to the Teutopolis community rallying behind this energetic, ambitious coach and the entire athletic program in Teutopolis Unit #50."

When we mentioned that Reeder will need to hit the ground running due to his mid-June hiring, he said there is an Open Gym tomorrow (Tuesday) night and he's looking forward to getting to meet the players. He said he expects a lot from his players, but said he wants the players to know that he will be there for them, even well after graduation. He also plans to touch base with the junior high coaches to get a feel for the players he'll be working with, but said he has some ideas for the coming season.

Here's Greg Sapp's conversation with Chester "Chet" Reeder shortly after the Board announced his hiring at Teutopolis...