LIers honored with Yale stadium

Money was never the object for the Reese brothers, but it came with the competitive territory that was born on the high school fields of Long Island. Jon and Jason Reese also share a wealth that has little to do with their financial status.

The former West Babylon High School athletes and Yale graduates were honored in New Haven, Conn., Saturday with the dedication of Reese Stadium, the newly renovated lacrosse and soccer facility that honors two of the university's most successful graduates.

Jon recalled his early career in high school lacrosse, starting on varsity as a freshman against Copiague. He went down after a hard crosscheck.

"I remember being on my hands and knees and not being able to breathe," Jon said. The Copiague coach appeared stoic, but Jon later found out the coach was silently distraught -- it was his son on the ground. "My dad said it was tough for him, because he couldn't run on the field," Jon said. Walt Reese had taught his sons about competition and the divide it could sometimes create.

Jon scored the winning goal in that game and West Babylon beat coach Reese's team for the remainder of Jon's high school career. In 2004, Copiague named the football field after Reese. With the Yale dedication, which Walt attended, his sons have now joined him in a similar tribute.

Jon's winning streak continued at Yale, where he joined Jason for his final year. Jon remains Yale's all-time leader in points (200) and goals (162). Jason also played lacrosse, and was a four-year starter in goal.

Jon was the captain of the football team at Yale and made headlines in his senior year of 1989. He was in an auto accident four days before a big game against Cornell. Jon went through the windshield, breaking his jaw and dislocating his elbow. He begged to be released from the hospital by that Saturday so he could support his teammates. Once there, he convinced coach Carm Cozza to let him play. He had 11 tackles in one of his best games.

Jason, meanwhile, was starting his career as an investment banker. It would lead him to Los Angeles, where today, at 45, he runs Imperial Capital. He has been reported as a candidate for partial ownership of the Mets. (He said a confidentiality agreement forbids him from discussing that matter).

Jon, 42, had the same financial acumen as his brother and landed on Wall Street. "My life to that point was about what was in front of me," Jon said. "You kicked its butt and you looked to the next thing."

That ended Sept. 11, 2001, when Jon lost his best friend, Tim Coughlin, who played lacrosse at St. Mary's High School, in the attack on the World Trade Center.

"It was the first time I lost and I couldn't do anything about it," Jon said.

Jon left the financial district and started a new life. He is a rich man, but a changed man, with a successful but subdued career in real estate. He helps his neighbors, he drives his kids to school, he is the assistant lacrosse coach at West Islip.

"I think what Jon has found is most important in life," his wife, Barbara, said.

West Islip head coach Scott Craig said: "He's the type of guy who hates to say no. He will get involved in any type of foundation that gives back."

Jason, who shares his brother's passion for helping others, said: "I do admire him much. I try to be supportive on a financial basis and with the things he is attempting to do. We are very close. Those are the types of bonds you never outgrow."