Earlier this month, the announcement came that current Lakeville North activities director Russ Reetz would resign from his post and accept the same job at Prior Lake, starting 6-30-15. This was something that I figured would happen when current Prior Lake activities director Eric Rodine announced he would resign after the school year.
Reetz is a Prior Lake resident and a former Lakers coach and assistant athletic director. So, I knew that if he was offered the job, he would take it. I was going to be shocked if he didn’t take the job as it is basically a dream job of his to be the Prior Lake AD.
While I’ll only be at Lakeville North for one more year, it saddens me to see him leave not only for what he has done for the school, but also what he has done for me.
I walked into his office for the first time as a sophomore on December 9 of 2013 when I met with him about student media opportunities at Lakeville North. I asked him if any students at North already took part in the student media program through the Minnesota State High School League. He said there wasn’t anyone and he wanted to get me started right away.
What I thought–at the time–might be an extra activity for me turned into a passion that I hope to be able to do for years to come.
I couldn’t have asked for a more supportive activities director who respects the working media. From personalized “reserved” signs to a terrific website to share my stories, Reetz’s support of my journalistic endeavors has been first-class and for that I am grateful.
Yes, I have gotten to know Reetz through my professional work, but he has also became a friend. I have made many trips to his office, talking sports and other topics with him. Not to mention, we’ve shared many laughs. He has also taught me true professionalism and how to strive for excellence.
Myself, along with the rest of Lakeville North, will greatly miss Reetz as he heads to Prior Lake next year as he set a standard of excellence at Lakeville North that I hope the next activities director can continue.
I wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Nick Kelly 