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From the Desk of President Jessica Poole – Thank you to two legends
by Jessica Poole – 2022-23 College Sports Communicators President @JessPooleA2
Chicago State University, Deputy Athletic Director/Chief Operating Officer
I’m going to be honest friends, the last several weeks have been really tough for our industry and me personally. We’ve lost two legends in Lenny Reich and Eric Moore, two people I have called friends for many decades and two people who have shaped our industry in so many ways.
You can tell by the sheer outpouring of love for these two individuals that they were loved and cherished by many in our industry and beyond. I am one that was fortunate to call both Lenny and Mr. Moore not only colleagues but friends.
As I think of words to describe both Lenny and Mr. Moore, it all starts and ends with love. I can’t think of a more perfect word to describe both. Lenny and Eric Moore both LOVED this industry and the people within this industry.
If you were or are an HBCU communicator you know Mr. Moore. Mr. Moore might as well have been called “Mr. HBCU”. His love for our HBCU members and their communicators was truly unmatched. He made sure that every HBCU communicator had what they needed and often times he provided what they needed if they couldn’t get it. He was so proud of each and every one of our HBCU and communicators of color.
I’ll never forget how proud he was of both Rob Knox and I as we ascended in the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA) presidential rotation. He was so excited to see the progress of our organization in this area and I’ll never forget him walking around the convention with “Mr. and Madam President” like a proud parent.
As the Executive Director of BC-SIDA (Black College Sports Information Directors of America) he touched so many communicators. He Invested in this group tirelessly and many of our successes can be directly attributed to Mr. Moore, I know that my success is.
If Mr. Moore, was “Mr. HBCU”, Lenny Reich was “Mr. Division III”. I know nobody who was a more tireless advocate for our Division III members. I had the pleasure of serving on the Board with Lenny and his love for Mount Union can’t be matched.
When Lenny first told the Board about his battle with cancer, he was so upbeat and knew he was going to beat it. His attitude until the very end was one that was positive and fixated on the future. I’ll never forget when Lenny walked across the stage to be inducted in the Hall of Fame in Las Vegas wearing the late Chris Wenzler’s jacket. I’ll never forget that moment because it was so Lenny.
Many of us lost friends in both Lenny Reich and Eric Moore and it’s been a really tough time.
While we lost friends, how lucky were we to have known both Lenny and Eric. Both of these men represent the very best of our profession. Selfless, kind-hearted, hard-working people who worked tirelessly to mentor numerous members and students throughout their time.
I will miss both of these members of my village dearly but all I can end with is “Well done, my Good and Faithful servants”
Take care of yourselves and each other!
Until Next Month,
Jess
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