Wilbur Reeser competed on the Hornet basketball team in the 1940’s and won four letters.  He was the team’s leading scorer (13.2 points) during his senior season in 1947-48.  Twice he was named to the all-conference first team and following the 1946-47 season, Reeser was a second-team selection on the NAIB (now NAIA) all-America squad.  He helped the Hornets win back-to-back conference championships in 1947 and ’48.  Emporia State University made trips to the NAIA national tournament both years and finished fourth at the 1947 national meet.  Following his ESU career, he went on to a successful career as a player and coach with Caterpillar Diesels, an AAU team.  He helped lead the Diesels to a third-place finish in the national AAU Tournament.