Dr. John Reno, Key Figure in Ball State Athletics History, Passes Away at 88

MUNCIE, Ind. -- Dr. John Reno, who served Ball State University for more than 40 years and helped to usher the Cardinals' athletic teams into their modern era of competition, passed away this week. He was 88 years old.

Reno was instrumental in Ball State's jump to the NCAA Division I level and entrance into the Mid-American Conference in the 1970s. It was during that period (1970-81) that he was Chairman of the School of Physical Education and Athletics. He oversaw the administration of athletic director Ray Louthen who served during that same time period.

"He was arguably one of the most influential people in the history of Ball State Athletics," said men's tennis coach Bill Richards, hired by Reno and Louthen in 1972. "I don't think the current generation can really grasp what he meant to Ball State University and specifically to Ball State Athletics. He was an incredible professional and a great leader. You only get the privilege of working for someone like that on a rare occasion in your career."

Reno shepherded a department that saw early success at its new level, winning MAC football championships in 1976 and 1978 and a men's basketball title in 1981 on the way to the Cardinals' first D-I NCAA tournament appearance. Ball State also won conference championships in men's golf and cross country during his tenure.

Upon his induction into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame years later, Reno described the move into the MAC as the highlight of his years at the university while humbly crediting Louthen and former Ball State President John Pruis for their roles in that accomplishment.

Dr. Warren Vander Hill, Ball State's Faculty Athletics Representative to the NCAA at the time and later the university provost, credited Reno with helping to win over the MAC presidents at the meeting to vote on the Cardinals' admission. Ball State was part of the small, disbanding Conference of Midwestern Universities at the time and could have been left without a home.

"John was the last person to speak, and he gave the most eloquent talk about how Ball State was on our way to becoming a full-fledged university from a teacher's college," Vander Hill said. "That's a very important historical high-water mark in Ball State's history, and John Reno had a lot to do with it."

A former Marine, Reno came to Muncie in 1960, serving as assistant professor of physical education at Burris Laboratory School and then as associate professor of the same at Ball State before taking over the chairman position in 1970. He became only the third person ever to hold the post, following Paul B. Williams and Dr. Robert McCall.

When Dr. Neil Schmottlach arrived as men's soccer coach and a physical education faculty member in 1965, Reno was one of the first people he met. They developed a close friendship over the decades working together and continued to meet regularly in recent years, also with Vander Hill, until Reno's health was failing.

"John really epitomized a true professional both in action and in thought," Schmottlach said. "He had a deep philosophy about education that really framed everything he did and every decision he made. It was that way whether he was in the physical education department or working with athletics. John cared for Ball State a great deal and did everything he could to advance it forward."

Reno opted to return to the classroom full-time in 1981 and continued teaching until his retirement in 2002, resuming his role as physical education chairperson in 1991. He also directed undergraduate professional programs and the sports studies program. In addition, he was an active leader on various committees and councils across the university, including chairing the University Senate.

"If we needed somebody to chair a committee, my assistants would come in and say, 'You need to call your MVF.' That stood for Most Valuable Faculty," Vander Hill said. "He never turned me down. He ended up being this kind of university citizen, highly respected by every part of the community."

From 1988 until his retirement, Reno served as Ball State's Faculty Athletics Representative to the MAC and NCAA. He was a recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Service Award in both 1990 and 2001 and was inducted into the Ball State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1991.

John Reno

Reno was born on the same day in the same Carbondale, Illinois, hospital as his wife Shirley on June 20, 1931. They were married for nearly 68 years. He was a Korean War veteran with the U.S. Marine Corps, displaying the attributes of commitment, loyalty and service he would later bring to Ball State.

Reno earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees in education from Southern Illinois in 1958 and later a doctorate in physical education from Indiana.

All services will be held privately through The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the John E. Reno Sport Administration Scholarship Fund, Ball State University Foundation Fund 6755, c/o Ball State University Alumni Center, 2800 West Bethel Avenue, Muncie, Indiana 47304 or a charity of your choice.

Dr. John Reno, Key Figure in Ball State Athletics History, Passes Away at 88

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