Jim Reeder

Reeder was named a charter member of the California State University Hall of Fame at the same time as tennis great, Billie Jean King.

His athletic and academic career was interrupted by World War II, as was the case with one of his college buddies and fellow baseball players, Keo Nakama.

Serving a four-year-stint as a machine gunner for the Marines in World War II, Jim Reeder earned the Purple Heart and Bronze Star.

He remained Cal State's head coach and assisted major league baseball teams with scouting until his untimely death at the age of 47 in January, 1972.

Upon entering the field, visitors will see a bronze plaque with a likeness of Coach Reeder with the Shakespearean quote from Julius Caesar: "Say to all the world, This was a man!"

Plaque honoring Coach Jim Reeder for whom Cal State L.A.'s baseball field is named.