Former Track Star Returns to Campus

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The name Anthony Reed is a familiar one around Charleston Southern. Mention it in the presence of people that have been around the Big South Conference for any length of time and they will immediately know who you are talking about. This past week Reed, now known as Dr. Reed, retuned to CSU to inspire students, as well as faculty and the athletics department staff with life lessons he has learned along his journey.

The Charleston native graduated from CSU in 1999 with a religion degree and left a number of broken records in his wake. After CSU, he went to United Theological Seminary where he received his Doctor of Ministry Degree. He is now the pastor of Martin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Miami, Fla., one of the fastest growing AME churches in the state of Florida.

Reed continues to hold the Big South indoor record in the triple jump and was a two-time Big South indoor champion in the long jump and triple jump. He was also a two-time Big South triple jump champion in outdoor track and held the League triple jump record until 2008.

Those credentials gave Reed plenty of credibility when he spoke to CSU athletes and coaches. The message he gave was not just how to succeed on the field of competition, but how to succeed in life.

“Remember that this life is about more than just your performance,” Reed said to the athletes. “There is a greater reason that God has called you to compete at CSU. CSU prepares athletes for the competition of life, where victory is gained through Christ.”

While speaking to the athletics department at a luncheon, Reed let the coaches know that the things he remembers most from his days as an all-conference athlete were how his coaches always taught him something new about himself. He urged them to serve as mentors to their student-athletes to help build character in addition to strong athletes.

“My success on and off the track is because of Christ,” Reed explained. “But CSU offered me the opportunity to be surrounded with people who were strong in their faith, people that cared more about me than my performance.”

During his trip back to his alma mater, Reed also spoke at convocation and had the chance to visit and speak with numerous classes on campus.