Former Wichita State player Tad Reida enters his third season as Director of Operations in 2026.
Reida spent two seasons as a player with the Shockers in 2004 and 2005, helping WSU to consecutive Missouri Valley Conference tournament championships and a pair of appearances in the NCAA tournament. A right-handed hitting middle infielder, Reida played in 61 career games with the Black and Yellow, recording 41 hits and 23 RBI. He finished his collegiate career with one season at Indiana, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Marketing and Management in July of 2008.
Reida began his coaching career as an assistant coach at West Virginia, where he spent two seasons working with the Mountaineers hitters and defensive unit. While at WVU, Reida mentored Brooks Wallace Award winner Jedd Gyorko. After moving to Colorado, Reida founded CageRat Baseball, where he served as president and CEO from 2010 through 2023. Reida also founded The Farm Sports, an athletic performance facility based in Colorado Springs.
In addition to his work with CageRat and The Farm, Reida served as a volunteer assistant coach at the Air Force Academy in 2013 and 2014.
A native of Kokomo, Indiana, Reida was a 50th round draft pick of the Philadelphia Phillies out of Western High School. His brother, Matt, played four seasons at Kentucky and is now an assistant coach at Houston, while his sister, Tiffany, played college basketball at Indiana State.
Reida and his wife Allison have 6 kids: Peyton, Maddie, Ike, Huck, Chick, and Millie.
