June 17, 2011
Vanderbilt College World Series Central
OMAHA, Neb. – Vanderbilt does not have a Nebraska native on its roster, but if there is anyone who feels right at home in the Cornhusker state, it is junior second baseman Riley Reynolds.
Reynolds was raised in Lee’s Summit, Mo., three hours south of Omaha, but instead of wearing the black and gold of the University of Missouri, it was the red and white of the University of Nebraska that filled his closet as a child.
Born into a family of Nebraska graduates, some of Reynolds most vivid memories as a child were of attending football games at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln, Neb., to cheer on the Big Red.
Both of Reynolds’ parents, Margaret and Rick, graduated from Nebraska as did his older brother, Drew. His father and brother played on the men’s golf team at Nebraska and his grandfather is legendary Cornhusker running back Bobby Reynolds, who was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.
Bobby was a 1950 First Team All-American and held school records in career points, career rushing yards, single season rushing yards and touchdowns that each remained for at least 21 years. His single-season rushing record stood for 32 years (1,342 yards). View his complete bio here.
With countless other relatives who attended or just pulled for Nebraska, the Huskers were always on Riley’s mind. However, when it came time for Riley to play college baseball, Nebraska showed no interest and he ended up signing with the Commodores.
Although Reynolds wasn’t exactly coming home when he boarded the flight to Omaha on Thursday, he feels at home in Nebraska.
“It is an awesome feeling to be coming to Omaha,” Reynolds said. “I have so many memories from this state and it is great to be able to return for the College World Series.”
This will not be Reynolds’ first time at the College World Series, but it will be the first time he will not watching from the stands. He attended games at two previous College World Series when he played in a little league tournament that took place the same week as the CWS, but that was when he was 9 and 10 years old.
“I got to see a few a games when I was little, and I remember how at that age everyone playing seemed like a superstar,” Reynolds said. “Everyone seemed like Major League Baseball players and you just wanted to be out there.”Reynolds and the Commodores will finally have that chance to get out there on Saturday when Vanderbilt begins play in the College World Series.
“Growing up, you just want to play there someday,” Reynolds said of Omaha and the CWS. “It is a dream come true.”
