The phone rang at 6:56 one Friday morning at Lucas Reid’s house and he debated whether to answer. His decision to pick up the receiver changed his life.
Kris Bowman, the United States Polo Association’s national club development director, was on the line to inform Reid that he had been selected to join the USPA.
“It was so surreal … it was like I had just won the lottery, I will never forget that phone call,” Reid said. “I was dead tired when I answered that phone, one minute later I was alive — it was insane.”
Reid grew up on a family farm in Firth, Idaho, as a fifth-generation farmer. He said before he could walk he was riding a horse, and he took that experience to the polo field when he came to the University of Idaho and has excelled for three years.
Because of his success on the polo team, Reid was encouraged by others to try out for the USPA, and so he began the application process.
Reid said that he struggled with the hand-written cover letter and that it became a time consuming endeavor.
“It took me a month to write that letter … because it’s really hard to convince somebody you should be on the team and that you are good — but you don’t come off across as this cocky, arrogant self-absorbed person,” Reid said.
Reid said he came home from riding his dirt bike one day and inspiration struck as he sat down and “hammered it out” in 20 minutes.
The rest of the process went more smoothly for Reid. He said at least 10 people filled out a reference for him.
Then Reid had to wait for the all-important call. After receiving it, he is ready for his next challenge and testing himself against stiffer competition.
Bowman said Reid is fortune to have such a great opportunity.
“This is an honor and an opportunity of a lifetime that Lucas will never forget,” Bowman said.
Bowman said the selection process is a lengthy one, but Reid had all of the qualifications needed to earn him the position.
“He was known to be an excellent team player and takes direction well,” Bowman said. “His references confirmed that he was an extremely hard worker and was a pleasure to be around.”
Reid said he owes the sports program a lot for the opportunity he has. He said the program teaches students commitment and opens doors.
He hopes his story will inspire other club members to continue to compete and realize the opportunities that are out there. He said he hopes people see what
level of talent exists in sports clubs at the University of Idaho.
“This just goes to show that the University of Idaho puts out some really good students that aren’t just good students, but they’re great in social environments,” Reid said. “They’re great and they have desire, their drive — it just goes to show the University attracts those kind of people.”