Reeves signs with William Penn University

HEM senior Brendon Reeves to play basketball for the Statesmen

Brendon Reeves, a senior at Hanna, Elk Mountain, Medicine Bow (HEM) High School, signed a letter of intent in late April to attend William Penn University in Oskaloosa, Iowa.

William Penn University is a private university. It was founded by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in 1873 as Penn College. In 1933, the name was changed to William Penn College and, finally, to William Penn University in 2000. It has an enrollment of about 1,150 students and is a four year liberal arts university.

Reeves is the son of Tara and Cain Johnson and Kyle and Brandi Wilson. He started school at Medicine Bow in kindergarten. While at HEM, Reeves has been involved in football, basketball, student council, Family, Career and Community Leaders of America and band. He earned all-state honors in football this year.

"I got a call about three weeks ago from Coach Henry (John) at William Penn University, who said they were interested and offered a generous scholarship, but I had to sign by May 1," Reeves said. "So I talked to my family. We agreed they seemed really interested, which was important because I love playing basketball and it is a great academic institution."

Reeves is thinking of majoring in sports broadcasting and analytics.

"I think it is wonderful for Brendon to get this opportunity to continue to play basketball. The game is his passion and he has worked to become a better player," HEM Head Boys Basketball Coach Cliff Jones said "He is a very intelligent basketball player and really understands the game at a higher level than most kids his age. It sounds like he received a pretty good deal to go to William Penn University to continue his education and he will get to play the game he loves for a few more years."

Dario Soto, coach of HEM junior high basketball team, also had praise for Reeves.

"Brendon has grown as a player since I had him in junior high. He has a good basketball head on his shoulders. He knows the game and is very capable of becoming a better ball player at the next level," Soto said. "Brendon is a good listener, he's very coachable and gets out on the floor and works hard when given the opportunity."

William Penn University had an excellent season this year, winning the Heartland Championship Finals. The team was slated to play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) championships in Kansas City on March 19. It was canceled, like all basketball conference championships, due to the Covid-19 virus.

William Penn University teams, nicknamed the Statesmen, compete at the NAIA Division I level, in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. The Statesmen formerly competed in the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference of the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III level until 2000. Men's sports include baseball, basketball, bowling, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, track and field, volleyball and wrestling. Women's sports include basketball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, dance, golf, lacrosse, soccer, softball, track and field and volleyball.

The men's basketball teams have enjoyed great success, finishing as the runner-up in the 2013 NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. In 2014 William Penn set a record for points scored in the NAIA National Basketball Tournament.

Reeves said he is happy to be attending this university. So is his mother, Tara.

"Brendon has been working for this since he was two years old and deserves it more than anyone realizes," Johnson said. "He has always worked hard, athletically and academically. He is an amazing son and wonderful role model for his little sister (HEM sophomore Rainee Wilson). I am so proud of his achievements and I truly believe William Penn University is lucky to get him."

Jones has similar feelings.

"I am super proud of him," Jones concluded. "This is something that he has pursued on his own. He put in the work and effort to get this chance and I wish him nothing but the best."

 

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