Inductees

Years ago, Larry O’Reilly sat with the great Stan Musial, the most iconic name in the St. Louis Cardinals’ rich history, and enjoyed the story that “Stan the Man” relayed that day.

“I got to be friends with Stan, and he was so gracious and even pulled out his harmonica,” O’Reilly said, noting friend and Cardinals scout Mike Ryba was their mutual connection. “One of the things that he talked about is being a good role model. He said that, in spring training, he would talk to all the new players and tell them to see the big picture, that when you become a great athlete, you have a responsibility.”

O’Reilly never forgot those words, especially while serving on the Board of Trustees for the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame for 20  years – including eight as Chairman.

Which makes O’Reilly the perfect choice for the President’s Award, bestowed on individuals who champion the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame and support athletics in the Show-Me State. The honor was presented during the 2020 Enshrinement Ceremonies presented by Killian Construction.

In fact, O’Reilly – his family owns O’Reilly Auto Parts — was one of the charter members on the Board of Trustees of the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, founded by John Q. Hammons in 1994.

“I thought it was an honor to be asked,” O’Reilly said, noting Joe Greene facilitated his entry on the Board. “At the time, it seemed right to give back to sports. And I thought we should be thorough about who we put in. They might be great athletes but needed to be good role models.”

Sports had long been meaningful to O’Reilly. He played on youth basketball teams through St. Agnes Catholic School and was on the eighth-grade team that finished 54-2 for Father Tom Schroger. He played for coach Bob Taylor at St. Agnes for 2 ½ seasons and transferred to Parkview High School during the Jolly Green Giants (MSHOF 2015) era, helping coach Bill Harding’s 1966 team to a state runner-up finish. O’Reilly then played for Harding at Drury University.

Naturally, O’Reilly cherishes those memories and, eventually, joined with his family in supporting the institutions. For instance, Drury University in 2010 opened the O’Reilly Family Events Center – a 3,000-seat basketball arena and concert venue – while Springfield Catholic High School opened a new basketball gym in 2013.

Additionally, O’Reilly has previously served on the Board of Directors of Big Brothers/Big Sisters, as Chairman of the Board of Mercy Hospital Springfield and as a member of the Mercy Hospital Executive Committee, the Board of Directors/Trustee of Drury University, Co-Chairman of the Victims Center Capital Campaign, Springfield Catholic Schools Development Board, The Community Foundation Board, Springfield Sports Commission Board, Springfield Hall of Fame Board, and The Lance Armstrong Foundation (Endowment Board of Trustees).

O’Reilly also heads his LP O’Reilly Family Foundation, which makes numerous donations and grants to local and national charitable organizations. He also has received The Missourian Award.

“We can do some things to help now that we are in a position to assist those that really do need support,” said O’Reilly, who worked his way up through O’Reilly Auto Parts, becoming co-Chairman of its Board (1993-1999), co-President of O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. and also Chief Operating Officer. His brothers, Charlie and David, and sister, Rosalie, have played huge leadership roles there, too.

“Usually, I have asked that our name not be placed on buildings and prefer to remain anonymous,” O’Reilly said. “But if our name is important to the success of a campaign, we understand being in that role.”

The impetus?

“It comes honestly,” O’Reilly said. “My dad was just a great role model. Even though when I knew we didn’t have much money, he’d help organizations and volunteer, such as the Lions Club, and got involved with the Boys & Girls Club. He went out of his way to be there.”

Years ago, O’Reilly learned the value of an honest day’s work and giving back. After all, as a youth, the family had only one car, and his dad worked at Link Motor Company. When O’Reilly was 11, his dad and granddad started O’Reilly Auto Parts.

He and his former wife, Nancy, instilled that work ethic with their daughters, Lauren, Leigh and Ragan – all former Springfield Catholic athletes. O’Reilly is married to Anya and they have a son, Nathaniel.

Now comes the President’s Award from a Hall of Fame which he once helped lead.

“It’s an honor to be going in with this class,” O’Reilly said.