sykes came from braddock, pennsylvania where he played basketball for braddock high school with future pitt teammate stash wrobleski. the two came to pitt to play for future hall of fame coach doc carlson and, in the 1927–28 season, were both starters on the panthers' first undefeated team. reed captained the team and at the end of the season was named an all-american along with teammate chuck hyatt. the squad finished the season 21–0 and would later be honored as historical national champions by both the helms athletic foundation and the premo-porretta power poll.