CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Parkland College Athletic Department is proud to announce the grand opening of the newly renovated Reed-Richardson Room at Parkland College on Friday, September 29. The former multipurpose media room in the lower level of the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex at Parkland College has been dedicated in honor of two highly influential former Parkland College Athletics employees, Jim Reed and Connie Richardson. The two were instrumental in building Parkland College Athletics during the move to the current campus in 1974, establishing new programs and a winning culture at Parkland College, as well as overseeing the construction of the first Cobra athletic facilities.
 
The Reed-Richardson room grand opening will take place on Friday, September 29 at 3:00 p.m. following the Parkland Fall Challenge at the Donald C. Dodds Jr. Athletic Complex. The classroom renovation and dedication have been made possible thanks to a generous donation on Reed and Richardson's behalf from Parkland Athletics Hall of Fame Member Tim Wulf.
 
"Jim and Connie are Parkland pioneers," Wulf said when asked what inspired his generous donation. "They had a vision for the college. They took on this challenge and believed in this campus and this future."
 
"They grew with Parkland College, and Parkland College grew because of them," said Wulf.
 
"The Parkland College Foundation is so very grateful to Tim Wulf for this generous gift in honoring Jim Reed and Connie Richardson's dedication and commitment to Parkland College," Parkland College Foundation Executive Director Tracy Wahlfeldt said. "This gift will continue to develop and strengthen Parkland College Athletics."
 
Jim Reed, from Catlin, Illinois, came to Parkland College in 1969 after graduating from the University of Illinois with a master's degree. Reed played baseball at the University of Illinois from 1964 to 1967 and served as a graduate assistant at Illinois from 1968 to 1970. Originally a physical education teacher at Parkland College, John started the Cobra baseball program in 1970, playing its first season of competition in the spring of 1971. Reed served as the head baseball coach from 1971-1982 and the director of the area learning center from 1982-1988 before becoming the Parkland College Athletic Director in 1988 until his retirement in 2000. Reed now spends time with his wife, Martia, his two children, Angela and Brian, and his five grandchildren.
 
"I am so thankful for the generous gift from Tim Wolf," Reed said. "There are a lot of good people at Parkland, and I am honored and thankful. Connie and I came to Parkland College around the same time and left around the same time. She is about as good as it gets as a teacher and a colleague."
 
Connie Richardson, from New York City, New York, came to Parkland College in 1969 after graduating from Tuskegee University in 1968. Richardson earned her master's degree from the University of Illinois in 1971 while teaching Physical Education at Parkland College and serving on several committees. While at Parkland, Connie developed foundational curriculum and taught a wide range of courses, including health, first aid, dance, and aerobatics classes. Richardson also served as an assistant coach for women's basketball and track and field. A mentor to many in the Parkland Athletic Department, Connie retired in 2004 and now spends time traveling and staying in shape.
 
"It is a tremendous honor," Richardson said of the Multipurpose room dedication. "It shows the appreciation people have and that people remember the things you did and appreciate them."
 
Current Parkland College Athletic Director Brendan McHale recalled working with Reed and Richardson as "an absolute pleasure," saying, "They were consummate professionals who treated people with respect, and it was impressive to see how both Jim and Connie interacted with students, staff and our community. We are proud to dedicate this room to the legacy of both Jim and Connie, and we are equally proud and grateful to Tim Wulf for his idea and generosity."