JT and Kathy Reis, grandparents of Palos Verdes High School twins Christian and Weston Reis, embody the steadfast support that often defines family involvement in high school sports. On a recent Thursday night at Mira Costa High, having driven two hours from Mission Viejo, the Reis couple watched their grandsons play football with composed enthusiasm, offering encouragement through the highs and lows of the game.
Christian, a running back wearing No. 42, and Weston, a linebacker sporting No. 44—a number his grandfather JT wore during his own high school football days in Wisconsin—are part of a family deeply connected to athletics. Their father, Matt Reis, excelled as a goalkeeper in soccer at Santa Margarita High and was later inducted into UCLA’s sports Hall of Fame. Matt’s wife, Nicole Odom, a former softball standout at UCLA, shares a similar athletic background. The couple’s eldest son, Jacob, currently serves as a backup linebacker at UCLA, following in the family’s sporting footsteps.
The Reis family’s history is marked not only by athletic achievement but also resilience. In 2013, Nicole was competing in the Boston Marathon when the tragic bombing occurred near the finish line. Present to support her were Matt, their three young children, and other family members. Matt, then a professional soccer player with the New England Revolution, witnessed the immediate aftermath, tending to Nicole’s father, John Odom, who was severely injured by shrapnel. Matt’s quick actions in applying a makeshift tourniquet likely saved John’s life. The harrowing experience remains a vivid memory that shaped the family’s outlook.
After Matt’s professional playing days ended, the family relocated to Southern California, where he transitioned into coaching, currently serving as the academy goalkeeper director for the Los Angeles Galaxy. The support from four grandparents, including JT and Kathy, creates a unique atmosphere for Christian and Weston as they navigate their high school sports careers, surrounded by extensive family presence at games.
“Be humble. Be a good teammate. Be a leader, not a follower,” JT advises his grandsons, emphasizing values that transcend the field. For Christian and Weston, the close-knit family environment and the steady encouragement from relatives provide both motivation and comfort during competition.
The Reis twins’ story reflects the broader significance of grandparental involvement in youth sports, highlighting the role of unconditional support and lifelong connection in cultivating both personal and athletic growth.