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PrintReinhard inducted into Harvard hall of fame
Former Woodstock resident is university’s first softball inductee
When Amy Reinhard graduated from Woodstock High School, she left as class valedictorian and a highly successful three-sport athlete. At Harvard University, she would excel at both softball and basketball and May 6, 19 years later, Reinhard was inducted in the Harvard University Hall of Fame as a softball player. She is the first softball player inducted.
“It’s funny,” Reinhard said. “I’m hugely honored. I’m so grateful. I felt like I had a really good four years, but as an athlete you always think you can do better.”
Reinhard, a member of the WHS class of 1992, played basketball, softball and volleyball for the Blue Streaks. She was all-conference shortstop all four years in high school. Retired head softball coach Jim Patton has fond memories of coaching Reinhard.
“Amy was one of only three individuals while I was coaching that made all-conference four years,” Patton said. “Amy was very consistent and very coachable. She was an outstanding player.”
Reinhard, who did not play softball until eighth grade because she was playing Little League, felt she got by on her athletic ability before high school and credits Patton with helping to develop her talent.
“Coach Patton was the first coach to instill discipline,” Reinhard said. “He is so gruff on the outside but a teddy bear on the inside. He was a great coach.”
At Harvard, Reinhard was a four-year starter at shortstop and a two-year starter on the basketball team. She was first team All-Ivy basketball in 1995 and 1996. Her fondest memories of Harvard included being part of the first Crimson basketball team to play in the NCAA Tournament in 1996 and winning the Ivy League basketball championship.
Reinhard has stayed in contact with many of her teammates. “It’s weird how I have stayed in contact with the program.” Reinhard said. “The women on the team are doing incredible things. I have friends from all over the country from the team.”
Reinhard lives in Los Angeles. She is the vice president of strategy and financial planning for Paramount Pictures.
“L.A. is so big you can find anything you want,” Reinhard said. “The movie industry is a completely different world. They are going through so many changes. They have a completely different set of morals and values.”
Reinhard’s parents Jim and Karen taught at WHS. Amy’s mom retired about three years ago but is still substitute teaching. Her father passed away in 2004. Although she lives across the country, Reinhard has not forgotten her roots in Woodstock.
“I have a lot of great memories of Woodstock,” Reinhard said. “At WHS, I can’t really remember a specific favorite moment. I just have very fond memories of growing up during that time and being surrounded by friends and teachers that I had a blast with ... and playing volleyball, basketball, and softball ... and just loving the variety of it all. It always kept me on my toes and just made me very happy. I wouldn’t take any of it back or change anything. I was very lucky.”
