BALTIMORE, MD – Johns Hopkins Associate Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics and Recreation Jennifer S. Baker announced today that Steve Reynolds has been selected as the recipient of the Ralph S. O'Connor Distinguished Service Award.  The award will be presented to Steve posthumously at the University's 2026 Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which is scheduled for Friday, April 17.
 
The Johns Hopkins Athletic Hall of Fame Committee determined in 2016 that an award for Distinguished Service to the Department of Athletics & Recreation should be presented to an appropriate candidate or candidates at the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.  The award does not need to be presented at each induction and its presentation is at the discretion of the committee.
 
Criteria for the award are as follows:
•  Outstanding contributions and/or service to the Department of Athletics & Recreation.
•  Contributions/service should be documented over a length of time not less than 10 years.
•  Award may be presented to a Johns Hopkins graduate, the parent of a graduate or friend of Johns Hopkins Athletics & Recreation.
 
Steven H. Reynolds
A 1965 Johns Hopkins graduate, Steve Reynolds' impact on the Blue Jay athletic program, while perhaps known by few, is matched in significance by even fewer.
 
Reynolds was a member of the Johns Hopkins football team during his undergraduate days and he earned the nickname of "One Yard Reynolds" as a halfback.  Often during his career, he was called upon to finish the job when the Blue Jay offense worked its way inside the opponent's five-yard line.  While his carries and total yards may have been limited, his touchdowns were not and he often powered Johns Hopkins over the goal line with a one-yard touchdown run to cap a scoring drive.  Thus, the moniker "One Yard Reynolds" was born.
 
While Steve's impact on the field often came at the end of a drive, it was the holistic experience that he and his teammates had that left a lasting impression.  The athletic program as a whole was significantly underfunded at the time, something that was not lost on Steve.
 
Years later, in the midst of a highly successful career on Wall Street, Steve would lean heavily on his competitive drive and commitment to teamwork, defining traits throughout his life that were developed and enhanced during his time as a Blue Jay.
 
His passion for Johns Hopkins and Blue Jay athletics only grew during his professional career and he dedicated his time and expertise to the University by serving on various boards and investment committees.  His belief in strengthening organizations through thoughtful stewardship reflected both his philanthropic values and his sense of responsibility to the communities that shaped him.
 
Fast forward to 1993.  Reynolds, working with legendary Johns Hopkins Director of Athletics Bob Scott, made a $100,000 commitment to the department to help create a fundraising organization that would focus its efforts on securing philanthropic support for the varsity athletic programs.  With that, Blue Jays Unlimited was born.
 
In 2025 Johns Hopkins celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the founding of Blue Jays Unlimited, now the Department of Athletics' official fundraising arm.  In the now 30-plus years since its founding, Blue Jays Unlimited has raised more the $100 million to support the experience of each Johns Hopkins scholar-athlete across 24 varsity athletic programs.
 
When you attend an event sponsored by Blue Jays Unlimited, including the Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony, take a moment to think about the people behind that name.  The first person that comes to mind should now be Steve Reynolds, whose generosity and support launched an organization whose sole mission is to support and enhance the experience of every Blue Jay.