Rutgers University Athletics

John Reardon joined the Rutgers Athletics staff as an equipment manager in September 1984. He has assisted the staff of all 24 sports during his tenure at Rutgers. Currently, "JR" provides daily support to the baseball, field hockey and tennis programs.

A 1983 Marietta College graduate, 2024 marks Reardon’s 25th year patrolling the dugout as the equipment manager for Rutgers Baseball. Spanning three Conference affiliations – the Big East, American and Big Ten – the Scarlet Knights have captured over 600 wins on the diamond during JR’s equipment tenure. 

JR has been mentored by three 1000-win baseball coaches during his his baseball career: Don Schaly of Marietta College (1,442), Rutgers Hall of Famer Fred Hill (1,089) and current Rutgers head coach Steve Owens (1,018).
   
A member of the AEMA and the Schutt Football Helmet advisory committee while a football equipment manager, JR worked the Rutgers football sidelines through the 2000 season.

The veteran, “Voice of the RAC”, Reardon can be found center court with the microphone for men’s basketball games and wrestling matches, and was the “Man behind the Mic,” for the Rutgers women’s basketball runs to the Final Four (1999-00) and National Championship game (2006-07). 

JR’s passion for announcing has its roots as the public address announcer of the NCAA Division III Baseball World Series from 1981-87. 

Some of Reardon's favorite recent RU moments include Nick Suriano and Anthony Ashnault's national championships for wrestling in 2019, the 2021 field hockey Big Ten Tournament championship and No. 1 national ranking, announcing the 2021 men’s basketball win over No. 1 Purdue and the 44-win baseball season in 2022.

Reardon's family features three Rutgers University graduates in his wife Meg (1984) and sons Eric (2021, MSE2023) and Danny (2023).