Basketball lifer Reeder entering Interscholastic League Hall

Pawtucket West graduate still refereeing high school games because of passion for sport

NARRAGANSETT — Everything Mike Reeder has accomplished in basketball throughout his life has been for the love of the game.

Indoctrinated at a young age by the allure of the sport, the Pawtucket native and Narragansett resident has spent the last 43 years serving as an official throughout the state and beyond in both girls and boys basketball. In honor of his dedication, Reeder will be inducted into the Interscholastic League Hall of Fame next week.

Growing up in Pawtucket, Reeder played basketball for Pawtucket West High School, now Shea High School, achieving all-state in 1958. His passion for the sport did not fade as his dreams of playing it professionally did, and Reeder played in various leagues around the state after graduation.

At 30 years old, while playing in a boys club game in Pawtucket on a random Friday night in 1973, Reeder was approached by the director of the club and asked to officiate a youth basketball game the next day.

“I couldn’t get enough of basketball, but at first, I didn’t want to ref,” he said. “But the director was a super guy, and I did it. I got down there, did two games, and I liked it and I came back the next day. I got the bug.”

After a few years working in the profession, including a year officiating JV games in Central Falls, Reeder secured a job working at LaSalle Academy once again officiating JV games.

Not long thereafter, he was filling in his offnights with games at any of the three Warwick public schools – Warwick Veterans High School, Pilgrim High School and Toll Gate High School.

“Let me tell you something, when I can’t go up and down the court, I’m done. When the passion’s gone, I’ll end it. But I still have it.” – Mike Reeder