Coach Reed's sudden death has sent shockwaves throughout the tightly knit Pioneer Valley High Panther community.
Counselors were made available to students on Friday who felt the need to speak to them even though the campus was closed on Friday for summer vacation.
On the school flag poles in front of the campus, the Panther flag was lowered in Neil Reed's honor while students, faculty and staff continue to leave prayer candles, pictures, condolences and other items of remembrance to their beloved coach at the base of the flag poles.
Back in 1997, Neil Reed was the Indiana University basketball player who was choked by then fiery Head Coach Bobby Knight during practice which was caught on videotape and eventually led to Knight's dismissal at Indiana U.
Neil Reed transferred to Southern Mississippi University to finish his college playing career after which he told an interviewer he had fallen out of love with basketball. In the same interview, Reed said he was never happy about what happened to Coach Knight at Indiana whom he reportedly idolized.
Reed is survived by his wife and two young daughters and a large, extended family. Neil Reed was 36 years old. Funeral services for Neil Reed are being planned for this weekend in Nipomo.
