We are saddened to hear of the passing of Verne “Glenn” Reeve this morning.
Reeve is best known for his exploits as a coach and administrator in the sport of softball, which was his favourite sport.
He was named Saskatoon’s Kinsmen Sportsman of the Year in 1995, inducted into the Softball Canada Hall of Fame in 1997, the Saskatoon Sports Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame in 2001.
The Glenn Reeve Fields #3 to #8 softball diamonds on the Gordie Howe Sports Complex grounds were named in honour of Reeve.
Reeve was born in Regina and raised in Grenfell. During his long career as a high school educator, he also coached curling, football and track and field. Reeve was also involved in hockey and coached the Saskatoon Flyers in the 1982-83 campaign along with Garry Peters.
In softball, Reeve coached the K & K Olson teams to Senior “B” Men’s Provincials championships in 1976 and 1979. He guided the Saskatoon Rempel Brothers Midget “A” Boys’ team to a provincial title in 1980.
Along with coaching, Reeve helped the City of Saskatoon put on eight different Canadian Softball Championships at various levels from 1975 to 2000. He followed Ed Reimer as the second President of the Saskatoon Amateur Softball Association in the early 1970s.
Provincially, Reeve’s involvement includes terms as Softball Saskatchewan’s Vice-President, President and Saskatchewan Commissioner to Softball Canada. He was also appointed to the Board of Directors of Sask Sport Inc.
Nationally, Reeve served as President and Director of Softball Canada. He acted as Softball Canada Supervisor at 15 Canadian Softball championships. He represented Canada at the International Softball Federation Congress on four occasions and served as team leader of Softball Canada’s National Women’s Team on tours. That included a gold medal win at the Pan American Games in 1983 in Caracas, Venezuela, and two world championship series.
In 1991, Reeve served as the Assistant Chef de Mission at the XI Pan American Games in Cuba. Another one of the highlights of Reeve’s career was serving as the Chef de Mission for the Canadian Team at the XII Pan American Games in Argentina in 1995.
In retirement, Reeve has continued his support for softball in Saskatoon. He played a key role in the organizing committee for the 2009 ISF World Men’s Softball Championships and has been an advisor in a number of projects.
Memorial arrangements for Reeve are pending.
The family here at the Gordie Howe Sports Complex passes on condolences, sympathies and prayers to Reeve’s family and friends and all who knew him. We hope you all are comforted with memories of Reeve, who is a sports legend in the community of Saskatoon.
