Exactly 87 miles south of Charlottesville, the town of Charlotte Court House is now filled with Virginia fans, and for one reason only: Joe Reed. The small town located in Charlotte County has always been home for Joe, a third year wide receiver for the Cavaliers.
“I enjoyed growing up in a small town,” Reed said, “Everyone knows everybody so we were all close. Playing sports and playing them with the same guys every year, having the same teammates, built a very strong bond. When you live in a small town, if you need help someone is always there.”
Reed’s family is at the center of his support system.
“My family has played a very big role in what I’ve been able to accomplish in sports,” Reed said, “They have always pushed me in playing sports. I was always playing baseball, basketball, football, and they were taking me to camps, practices and events. I really lean on them to do what I’m doing now.”
In addition to having close relationships with his parents, Reed shares a special bond with his older brother, C.J.
“We are really close, best friends,” Reed said. “He is getting married in June and I’m his best man.”
While his upbringing was in a tight knit community, Joe always had big aspirations to land an offer playing football at the Division I level.
“I always wanted to come to UVA,” Reed said. “As a child, I was a very big Virginia fan. When UVA offered, me I knew that this was exactly where I wanted to go.”
Moving from a town with a population of a little over 500 to Charlottesville was a bit of an adjustment.
“It was weird transitioning from a small town to a big university at first,” Reed said, “My first summer here was kind of weird, but then after that I was so busy and I didn’t really pay much attention to it. It’s normal now to be here in Charlottesville.”
When he gets time off of the field, Joe enjoys doing things that feel like home.
“I’m an outdoors guy, I love doing anything outdoors,” Reed said. “It’s the best if I can get out there. I don’t like playing video games, I just want to be in nature. When I can get outside and get away from football for a bit, I really like to hunt and fish. I hunt deer, turkey and coon hunt. I also like to go frog gigging. Sometimes the guys, we go climb mountains and other things like that. I enjoy doing a lot of things outdoors really.”
While he still has another season to play for UVA and continues to work on his major in American Studies, Joe does have some ideas for future ambitions.
“I haven’t thought too much about professional football, if it happens, it happens but I know I’ll always have another plan,” Reed said. “I’m interested in pursuing a government job, I know some friends who are doing that now and they really like it.”
For now, Joe is focusing on the team.
“It’s been a very fun season, and I’m still learning a whole lot,” Reed said. “I’m having fun with the guys and excited to keep going. It’s been great to be close as a team this year, we are definitely closer than my first two years here. We all come together, and the freshmen are more incorporated into things. I’m most excited for the Virginia Tech game, to play them on a Friday night in Blacksburg, I can’t wait.”
When Reed drives down VA-20 South and gets to Charlotte Court House he returns to see many familiar faces.
“It hasn’t been all that different going home,” Reed said. “Throughout high school I was a big name in the town. Now when I come home it’s a little more exciting when they do get the chance to see me but other than that it’s just been the same, I’m given the same support.”
His friends and family back home have plenty to be cheering for. Reed has played in all seven games, with 197 receiving yards and posing a significant threat for opponents with his explosive kick returns. His eyes are set on the kickoff return record and accomplishing the team goals of winning the ACC Championship along with securing and winning a bowl game.
Reed will continue to set lofty goals and earn them by hard work alone. He sets an example for kids growing up in Charlotte Court House and other small towns, that they too are capable of reaching their big dreams, just like he did.