Nov. 18, 2014
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — Kathryn Reynolds, a senior on the 18th-ranked University of Iowa women’s basketball team, and her father Terry, the senior director of professional and global scouting for the Cincinnati Reds, share a special father-daughter bond.
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Terry earned a degree in sports management and went to work for the Los Angeles Dodgers out of college for its affiliate in Albuquerque, before becoming the general manager of the Daytona Beach Astros. After a year in Daytona, he went back to work for the Dodgers for the next 25 years in various capacities before joining the Reds. He has drafted the likes of Homey Bailey, Jay Bruce, Todd Hollandsworth, and Paul Konerko, among many others.
Kathryn, a 5-foot-7 guard, was a standout at Mount Notre Dame High School in Cincinnati before joining the Hawkeyes in the fall of 2011. A nominee for the 2014 WBCA AllState Good Works Team, she is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, and has been a part of three NCAA Tournament teams.
Both are on the road a lot, traveling to the next game to compete or scout.
“When she played in Cincinnati (in high school), it was easy because I had some time in the winter,” said Terry. “I would get to see those games until spring training started. We get to watch Kathryn when the team comes to Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State, or Michigan, and we make it to Iowa City a few times a year.”
While their separate journeys through sports may have added distance between them, it has strengthened their connection.
“He always made time to try and get home for our games, which meant the world,” said Kathryn. “Growing up, I loved going to baseball games with him, and I definitely wanted to be the next Ken Griffey, Jr. I never came close; I may have set the bar a little too high.”
In addition to her special experiences at the University of Iowa, Kathryn has had numerous opportunities that many people never even fathom, meeting the likes of Sammy Sosa and Jason Giambi. For Kathryn, the bond with her father far outweighs those behind-the-scenes moments.
“We are extremely close and talk every single day, especially because he has mastered the art of texting, which I am proud of him for,” said Kathryn. “Whether sports or unrelated, we connect on a number of different things. I value our relationship, especially since I have come to Iowa. I learn more from him than he could ever realize.”
The Hawkeyes and sports have brought many families and friends together over the years. It is no different for the Reynolds.
“Whether shooting hoops in the driveway, or tagging along to games he scouted, sports has always given us some common ground,” said Kathryn. “It is the same with our entire family; we connect, and it has built a lot of memories we would have not had otherwise.”
Reynolds has overcome injuries during her career, both in high school and at Iowa. Now it is time for the next step in her journey. She is a first-year law student after graduating in three years, trying to balance her time between academics and her senior season on the court.
Chances Reynolds follows in her father’s footsteps?
“There are so many paths you can go with law,” said Kathryn. “That is exciting to have that many options. My dad has always worked in sports, so that has always interested me.
“I love to watch my dad work. That is where my best example of hard work has come from. He is extremely hard working, and it is fun to see a career where you are working that hard, and at the same time, do something you love.”
Reynolds’ journey continues this weekend, as Iowa hosts the annual Hawkeye Challenge at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Hawkeyes host Pepperdine on Friday at 7:30 p.m. (CT), before facing the winner of Tennessee Martin and Dayton on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
