Hall of Fame
Francis Marion University athletic officials recently announced the Class of 2024 inductees for the FMU Athletic Hall of Fame: baseball infielder and right-handed pitcher Barrett Kleinknecht (‘22), cross country and track and fielder runner Paul Reardon (‘89), and long-time athletic trainer Spyder Webb (‘78).
The induction ceremony took place during Homecoming activities on Saturday, Feb. 24, in the Smith University Center gymnasium at approximately 4 p.m. between the women’s and men's games of the FMU and King University basketball doubleheader.
Reardon, a native of Sumter (Thomas Sumter Academy), lettered four years in both cross country and track from 1985 to 1989. He later served as assistant coach for both programs through eight seasons (1989-97). His business degree was also in the discipline of management.
In the fall, Reardon garnered NAIA District 6 All-District Team honors three times, and placed third at District Six Meet in 1988, fourth in 1986, and sixth in 1987. He qualified for the NAIA National Cross Country Meet twice (including a 169th place finish in 1988), was named his team’s Most Valuable Player twice, and set a career-best for 8000-meters (26:24) at the 1988 Citadel Invitational Meet.
In the spring, he twice earned All-District Team recognition for track & field and was selected as the Team MVP for track & field as a junior. He won five District Six individual championships (3-mile run 1987; 880-yards, mile run, and 3-mile run in 1988; and 3-mile in 1989) and ended his career eighth on all-time points list with 262.50.
He was a member of four NAIA District Six championship teams: cross country in 1988, and track and field in 1986, 1987, and 1989.
Following his graduation, Reardon embarked on a career in healthcare finance, working for multiple hospitals including McLeod Health and Cape Fear Valley Health System. In 2000, he co-founded Receivable Solutions, Inc., a healthcare receivables firm which he operated until October 2019, when it was then purchased by a private equity firm.
Paul and his wife Ashley, also a 1989 Francis Marion graduate, reside in Hartsville. They have two daughters and one granddaughter, and are enjoying retirement. Reardon is still a very active runner, participating in multiple 5k and 10k races each year and has completed seven marathons.
