As athletics director and men’s basketball coach, Chris Moore has high expectations for Virginia Peninsula Community College athletes.
“We want to have student-athletes emphasize (the student) piece of the puzzle,” he said. “You can have the accolades on the court. You can have accolades on the field. But we want you to have accolades in the classroom because that’s what we are continuously emphasizing.”
Men’s basketball player Mekhi Reid did just that, and was honored by the Peninsula Sports Club as the VPCC athlete of the year at its annual awards banquet June 26.
“I thought that Mekhi was well-deserving,” Moore said, adding there were a number of candidates for the award.
What stood out was Reid’s 4.0 GPA his first semester at VPCC as he studied business administration.
“I’m pretty proud of myself for that,” Reid said.
For the second semester, his GPA was about 3.5.
“Pretty good there, too,” he said.
Moore caught Reid by surprise when he called him about two months ago with the news he was being honored. At the banquet, Reid was humbled being in the presence of so many other honorees.
“I didn’t know there were going to be a lot of other athletes,” he said. “Just being there felt special. To be seated with people who were receiving awards that great, and to be there with people that are that good at their sport meant a lot.”
Reid, who was born in Virginia Beach and graduated from Tallwood High School in 2022, spent just one year at VPCC. He received a full academic scholarship to Mary Baldwin University, where he will pursue a business administration degree and play basketball.
The Gators finished second in the New South Athletic Conference this year, and Reid was a key contributor. He started 22 games, averaging 10 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. His best outing was against Bryant & Stratton Community College, finishing with 17 points, four rebounds, two steals, two assists and two blocks. He also was named an NSAC All-Academic honoree for his first-semester GPA.
Coming out of high school, Reid anticipated playing at Shenandoah University, but a coaching change altered his plans. He returned home early in the semester, reached out to Moore, who had recruited him in high school, and enrolled in the College a few weeks into the fall semester.
He credits Moore and his teammates with offering a welcoming atmosphere.
“I came late and it really saved me. If they didn’t accept me coming late, I wouldn’t have had anywhere to go,” he said. “And I wouldn’t have had any of these offers.”
His goal is to let basketball take him as far as it can, then he will be ready for his academic work to pay off.
“I always wanted a career in business because I wanted to learn how to invest my money,” he said. “Make my money make money.”
Another option is being an entrepreneur, maybe with his own clothing line.
“Just start my own business and see how it goes,” he said.
Looking back on his year at VPCC, he said it went fast, but it was enjoyable.
“(VPCC) is filled with good people that care about the students,” he said. “For anybody trying to go there, I think it’s a great school, great people there.”
He’s grateful for the brief time he was here.
“My best memory is being blessed enough to have the opportunity to play,” he said. “(Coach Moore) took me in with open arms.”