The University of the Pacific baseball program lost one of its greatest architects this week. Reed“Skip”Peters, who took the helm of the Pacific Tigers just two years ago in June 2024, has passed away at age 60 following an illness.
In that short span, Peters transformed what was already a storied program into something genuinely exceptional—a rarity in modern college baseball, according to Adam Shaw, the university’s athletic director. Before arriving at the University of the Pacific, Peters spent 17 seasons building San Joaquin Delta Community College in Stockton into a powerhouse, establishing himself as one of the region’s most respected baseball minds.
But it wasn’t just wins and records that defined Peters’legacy. Shaw spoke to what made him different: a genuine players-first philosophy that went beyond coaching clichés. Peters didn’t just direct from the sidelines—he got into the trenches with his athletes, earning their respect almost immediately through authenticity and engagement.“He just commanded instant respect from every ballplayer he ever [coached],”Shaw reflected, capturing the magnetic quality Peters brought to every relationship.
The school’s baseball team released a statement honoring Peters as“an amazing husband, father, friend, coach, and pillar of the Stockton community.”That broader identity matters. Peters wasn’t just someone who showed up to practice and left—he was woven into the fabric of the Valley baseball world, a mentor whose influence extended far beyond box scores.
The challenge now falls to the Pacific program to honor what Peters started, to ensure that the momentum he built doesn’t fade. The question isn’t whether his impact will be remembered—it will be. The real test is whether the program can sustain the standard he raised in such a short time.
About the Author
Andrew Johnson
Andrew Johnson is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.
