Reed takes aim at roster
Saratoga Springs resident hoping to make Albany squad
Wide receiver Koree Reed might have the shortest drive home on the Albany Empire, to Saratoga Springs.
Reed, who grew up in Syracuse, first tried out for the Empire in 2019, when the team was a member of the Arena Football League.
After working all night as a bouncer in downtown Syracuse, Reed drove to Albany in time for a 7 a.m. tryout., though he didn’t make the team. In 2020, Reed went through camp with the Tuscon Sugar Skulls of the Indoor Football League and made the roster. COVID -19 shut down the team the next day.
Reed reached out to the Empire again last season after moving to the Capital Region.
“I actually messaged Coach (Tom Menas) on Facebook,” Reed recalled. “I was like, ‘If you guys need somebody to come in, I’d love to come out and help.’ ”
Reed signed with the team just before their regular-season finale, and Menas used him as an extra body in practice to help rest worn-out players.
“He came in and did anything we asked him to do,” Menas said. “He’s the nicest kid in the world.”
The Empire ended last season with a 79-62 win over the Columbus (Ga.) Lions for the National Arena League championship, and in the offseason Menas called Reed to make sure the receiver had gotten his championship ring.
“He goes, ‘Well, no, I didn’t want a ring. I didn’t earn it.’ And I said, ‘You’re getting a ring. I’m sending you a ring.’ He’s that kind of kid,” Menas said.
This season, Reed got another chance to make the Empire’s roster. He’s competitive offensively, but needs to work on defense given the National Arena League’s Ironman rules requiring most players to see action on offense and defense, according to Menas.
“If it works out, great, we’d be lucky to have him,” Menas said. “If it doesn’t, we’re still planning on keeping him around and using him.”
Reed was a record-setting receiver for Hartwick in college
and still holds the Division III record for highest average gain per catch in a season, with 27.7 yards. He has the fifth-most career yards per game, with 133.7, and caught a 99-yard pass in 2016. Reed also played cornerback, recording five tackles in two seasons.
In addition to a desire to keep playing football, Reed was drawn to the Empire because they have the “best coaches, best players, and the fans are awesome,” he said.
Like most arena football players, he has a day job. Reed is a property manager and has been working remotely from the Empire’s team hotel during camp.