We prepare student athletes for high school, higher education, and beyond
Founded in 2017, The Reggie Smith Foundation helps encourage and train players who are financially disadvantaged. We provide both academic and athletic support, laying the groundwork for future achievement.
Our Mission
The Reggie Smith Foundation was created with the idea that the principles that shape excellent students are the same that shape excellent athletes. We believe that a student's potential should not be limited by their financial resources. Our goal is to provide support to student athletes, strengthen their athletic and academic mastery, and spark a lifetime of success.
Above all else, our work is motivated by the knowledge that every student we serve is deserving of opportunity, regardless of their background. The challenges that students face should not exclude them from the chance to thrive. It is in those challenges that the strength to persevere is forged. They should be admired for their determination and provided with the opportunity to show the world what they are capable of.
The Reggie Smith Foundation is an ally for all who strive for success. We are dedicated to providing resources to student athletes both on the field and in the classroom, supporting them to and through higher education, and passing along the principles upon which all achievement is built.
Our Officers
Reggie Smith
Founder of the Reggie Smith Foundation
Reggie Smith's contribution to the game of baseball stretches far beyond his successful career as a professional player. With decades of playing, coaching, and teaching experience, Reggie started the Foundation to pass along the principles that he attributes to his own success.
Lloyd PantelL
President of the Foundation
Having practiced law since 1977, Lloyd Pantell has a strong grasp on how success is built. His experience in business, real estate, and health care law give him an unprecedented understanding of legal matters, and his years as a professor reflect his desire to enrich the lives of others.
ROB GLUSHON
VICE-PRESIDENT, PLAYER DEVELOPMENT
Rob Glushon has over 25 years of coaching experience, including at Harvard-Westlake School, Campbell Hall High School, and the Reggie Smith Academy. He was an assistant coach for the Chicago Cubs Scout Team in Southern California, working with high school players being recruited for college and the MLB draft.
Laura Hipke
Secretary of the foundation
As a business owner, entrepreneur, and artist, Laura Hipke has years of experience bringing ideas to life. She's a powerhouse of both imagination and actualization. Her ability to build connections between what may be imagined and what can be created makes her a pioneer of new opportunities.
Jesse R. Woods
Treasurer of the foundation
Jesse’s decades of community and baseball experience inform his proactive approach, teaching, coaching, and support. As a prior regional Little League president and member of Little League Internationals district program, he works with parents and players to build a welcoming and secure atmosphere for all.