Archives West Finding Aid

W.B. Reese grew up in Pullman, Washington and attended Washington State College, graduating in 1925. Reese became the head coach of football, basketball, and track and field in 1930 at Eastern Washington College of Education, and served as the athletic director and head of Health, Recreation and Physical Education Division from 1938-1962. Reese took a leave of absence from Eastern Washington College of Education in 1942 to serve the United States Army during World War II. He served the Second Air Force as a physical fitness officer and trainer.

When Reese returned to Eastern Washington College of Education, he was the center of the "Reese Affair" at Eastern Washington College in 1953 when he entered the institution's master's program. In this affair, it was believed by many that he conspired with the school president and faculty organization to be listed as having his Master of Arts degree when he had not earned it. He eventually withdrew from the program, but kept his position as Athletic Director. Reese died in 1974 in Othello, Washington.