BROWNSTOWN
As a student at Brownstown Central High School, Grant Reedy was all about athletics.
He played basketball for three years and then served as a team manager his senior year after suffering a fourth concussion.
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He also participated in football, baseball and track and field one year each and was a volleyball team manager one year.
Then heading to the University of Indianapolis in 2016, he was studying exercise science and earned direct admission into the athletic training master’s program.
But on May 2, 2018, at the age of 20, Reedy passed away.
As a tribute to someone whose life revolved around sports and who wanted to make a career as an athletic trainer, his parents, Greg and Alicia Reedy, created an endowment through the Community Foundation of Jackson County.
The Grant Alan Reedy Athletic Training Endowment allows his memory to live on and impact the athletic trainer and students at his alma mater.
The Reedys started the fund with $50,000, which was money they had set aside for Grant’s college education. Recently, they presented $2,000 to Brownstown Central Community School Corp. as an initial payment.
Each spring, the school corporation will receive the interest distribution from the endowment.
“We wanted to get this going this year and not wait until 2021 interest,” Alicia said of their decision to go ahead and give $2,000 now.
While recently presenting the check during a board of trustees meeting, Alicia took a deep breath and became teary-eyed when introducing the fund.
“We wanted to honor Grant by setting up this endowment through the Community Foundation of Jackson County to use this money for Brownstown Central schools at the discretion of the athletic trainer to buy any necessary supplies, equipment or whatever that will better the athletic experience for student-athletes in the Brownstown Central school system,” she said.
Devin Harvey, the athletic trainer at BCHS, said he and the Reedys have discussed what they would like to see purchased with the money.
“If they wanted to get oodles and gobs of red Ace bandages, that’s their choice, but I don’t think that’s what’s going to be done,” Alicia said. “I think it’s going to be some really cool stuff, and we look forward to seeing the athletes using it and just remembering Grant.”
Harvey said he doesn’t currently have a plan for the money and is looking for the right opportunity to use it.
“We want it to be something significant that will help keep Grant’s legacy going,” Harvey said.
Alicia said Dan Davis and Sue Smith with the Community Foundation suggested the endowment versus a scholarship.
“This way, many people will be able to receive the benefit of the fund, not just one or two persons getting a scholarship,” she said.
Davis, president and chief executive officer of the foundation, said he’s happy to be a part of this effort. The foundation also set up nonendowed funds for the new band uniforms and the turf football field for BCHS.
“The Reedys have been great to work with as we try to remember Grant and his time here at Brownstown Central,” Davis said. “We’re really happy to have been included in their plans of honoring Grant.”
Superintendent Tim Taylor and a couple of the trustees expressed their appreciation regarding the new endowment.
“I would just like to thank the Reedy family for their generous gift in memory of their son, Grant,” board Vice President Gina Hackman said.
“I would like to thank the Reedys. They are a special family,” board President Scott Shade.
Taylor thanked the foundation for all of its work and the Reedys for continuing to support the school’s athletic program.
“It’s a great tribute to his memory,” Taylor said. “I didn’t know him, but I’ve heard people speak about what a fine young man he was.”
The Reedys thanked Taylor for that statement.
“This will be something that year after year for who knows how long” will make an impact, Alicia said.
“Forever,” Davis said.
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To donate to the Grant Alan Reedy Athletic Training Memorial Endowment, call the Community Foundation of Jackson County at 812-523-4483; email [email protected]; make a check payable to Community Foundation of Jackson County, write "Grant Reedy Fund" in the memo and mail it to Community Foundation of Jackson County, P.O. Box 1231, Seymour, IN 47274; drop it off at the foundation’s office, 107 Community Drive, Seymour; or visit cfjacksoncounty.org and click on the "Donate Now" button.
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