Ned Reynolds to retire as KY3 sports director

A staple of the KY3 sports department for nearly five decades, Ned Reynolds this morning announced he is retiring as the station's sports director but would stay on board for special projects.

Reynolds will handle his last sportscast Dec. 1, according to KY3.com. He will continue to do play-by-play announcing for Springfield Cardinals games on KY3 and KCZ.

“This is not a complete retirement announcement, but pretty darn close to it.  Over the years I have had the opportunity to make some close friendships and wonderful associations and these memories will be locked deep in my soul forever. I thank everyone very much for accepting me into their family," Reynolds said in the KY3 report.

KY3's Chad Plein will take over the 6 p.m. sportscast.

Reynolds, who was born in 1941, joined KY3 in 1967.

In the years since, his name has become synonymous with Ozarks sports. A 2001 Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Reynolds on Sept. 27 was inducted into the Silver Circle - marking a lifetime of achievement in the industry - during the Mid-America Emmy Awards in Kansas City. In 2011, Springfield Business Journal named Reynolds among the 31 Game Changers who have significantly impacted the local business and community landscape.[[In-content Ad]]