Inducted on November 11, 2010
Reggie was born in Savanna, Georgia. He came to Newark at the age of 9. He attended Avon Elementary School and Clinton Place Junior High. He is also a 1969 graduate of Weequahic High School. He attended Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina. Reggie also took classes at Seton hall and Jersey City College.
Reggie has dedicated his life to serving our Great Nation, first as a proud Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, for six years with an honorable discharge, National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Letter of Appreciation, Meritorious Mast, Letter of Congratulations from the Marine Corps, and the President of the United States.
Reggie began boxing while stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. When Reggie discovered boxing, it was a sport which led him to win the Bronze Medal at the 1971 Pan-Am Games in Cali, Columbia. In 1972, Reggie was a member of the United States Olympic Team in Munich, Germany. In a boxing match that led to many changes in the sport, Reggie, a Middleweight, found himself in the ring with Valerie Tebugov of the Soviet Union. The judging discrepancies did not allow him to win the Gold Medal, but Reggie received a “Good Sportsmanship Award” for the dignity he displayed throughout the Olympic Games, which he fondly recalled in a Star-Ledger article, as an opportunity to make many friends all over the World.
While in High School, Reggie played football, basketball and ran track.
While in the Marines, he won many Championship bouts – to name a few – two-time Marine Champ, two-time All Armed Service Champion, two-time North Carolina Gloves Champion, two-time North Carolina AAU Champion, All-American Middleweight Champion, Pan-American and Olympic Trials Champion.
As a pro, he became the New Jersey State Middleweight Champion when he beat Bobby Patterson over 12 rounds. He would hold that title for the next two years, before he lost to fellow 2010 Inductee Rusty Rosenberger. Before he ended his career, he would be in with the likes of Mustafa Hamsho, whom he fought a draw with, and Bobby Czyz.
Now as a social worker of New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) for more than 25 years, Reggie continues to serve our nation, caring for and watching over the neediest children, ensuring that future generations have access to the same opportunities that helped Reggie reach his goals.
Reggie now lives in Summit with his wife Carolyn.
Boxing Record: click
Represented the United States as a Light middleweight in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, boxing in the 156 pound weight class. His results were:
- 1st round bye
- Lost to Valeri Tregubov (Soviet Union) 2-3