The Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics announced a move today that could very well shift the cross country/track and field landscape in the CUNY Athletic Conference, naming Hugh Reid it's head coach for six varsity programs, including men's and women's cross country, and men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field. Director of Athletics Chetara Murphy spoke on Reid's forthcoming arrival to the Bedford Avenue campus.
"Coach Reid will be a tremendous addition to our athletic department, as he brings an incredible culture of success with him to our institution," Murphy said. "His passion for cross country and track and field, and his competitive spirit, are attributes that we believe will greatly benefit our program. With 13 years of experience as a Head Coach in the CUNY Athletic Conference, he has great understanding of what it takes to build, motivate, and sustain teams. His accomplishments over the years, including Coach of the Year distinctions and championships won, are reflective of his diligent efforts. We are very eager to see him get started."
During his most recent post as the Head Coach at Lehman College, Reid earned CUNYAC Coach of the Year honors seven times across six sports, pacing the Lightning to six program championships and four runner-up finishes. During his tenure there, 8 student-athletes earned CUNYAC Most Valuable Performer honors, 11 student-athletes earned CUNYAC Athlete of the Year honors, with another eight earning Rookie of the Year distinctions. 122 student-athletes earned All-Star recognition, and 60 student-athletes were NCAA Division III qualifiers.
As Head Coach for the CCNY Beavers from 2011-2016, Reid was tabbed CUNYAC Coach of the Year honors 17 times across six sports, leading the Beavers to 17 program championships and four runner-up finishes. During his tenure there, 17 student-athletes earned CUNYAC Most Valuable Performer honors, 12 were named conference Athlete of the Year, and another 12 earned Rookie of the Year distinctions. 199 student-athletes earned All-Star recognition, and 69 student-athletes were NCAA Division III qualifiers, including 4 NCAA DIII All-Americans and a USTFCCCA Regional Athlete of the Year. Reid is now looking forward to continuing his legacy of excellence at Medgar Evers College.
"I'd like to thank the Medgar Evers College Department of Athletics, and especially Director of Athletics Chetara Murphy, for this amazing opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students, athletics, and in the community; contributing to the legacy Medgar Evers College embodies. Having the opportunity to be a NCAA Head Coach at a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) in my home borough is an exciting honor. I'm looking forward to inspiring and encouraging positive change by redefining expectations; and by promoting excellence, success and self-actualization as a standard rather than as an aspiration. I'm eager to get started to shift the mindset and culture in order to elevate Medgar Evers to the next level."
Since 2006 Reid has also been the Head Coach of the Musketeers Track Club, training youth, high school, open and masters' men and women to compete in the USATF, AAU, and World Athletics Track and Field series meets. Coach Reid has produced several National and International medalists for various countries at major IAAF/World Athletics championships. Coach Reid is a USATF Level two certified Track and Field Coach in Throws; a USATF Level three certified Track and Field Coach, Combined Events, Jumps, and Sprints/Hurdles/Relays; an IAAF Level 5 Academy certified Elite Track and Field Coach, Combined Events and Jumps; a World Athletics Level five Olympic Certified Master Track and Field Coach, Sprints/Hurdles/Relays; a USATF Level one certified Instructor; and a USTFCCCA certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.
As a student-athlete, Reid competed for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he served as team captain. Reid was a two time Atlantic 10 Conference Champion, 12-time member of the Atlantic 10 Academic All-Conference Team and the 2001 Atlantic 10 Academic Men's Outdoor Track & Field Student Athlete of the Year. A member of SAAC, Reid went on to earn a B.A. in Political Science graduating Magna cum Laude in 2001. He went on to earn his Doctorate in Jurisprudence from the University of West Virginia. While in law school, Reid acted as a graduate assistant coach, helping produce several Big East Champions and medalist, a Men's Outdoor IC4A Team Championship Title, and several Women's NCAA DI All-Americans. Reid is a practicing attorney in Brooklyn. As a general practitioner, since 2008, Reid is a member of the New York State Bar Association and does pro bono work for the USATF.
He later went on to represent Barbados, as a sprinter, in several major international Track & Field meets. He was an eight-time Barbados National Champion, four-time National silver medalist and two-time National bronze medalist. As a master's athlete, Reid represented the United States and was a seven-time US National Champion; three-time US National silver medalist; and two-time US National bronze medalist.
