sports: health & fitness
CHILDHOOD: As a child, Greg learned firsthand that an athlete can have an immense impact in the community. Due to his efforts to raise money for charity through a Read-a-thon, he got to spend time (photo) with NFL players over the course of several years. They encouraged him to continue his civic efforts with the Read-a-Thon, which helped spark his lifelong interest in reading, volunteerism, and philanthropy. Scroll Down
In the years that followed, athletes continued to have a positive impact on Greg. One favorite example: During a family trip, he happened to share an elevator ride with some members of the LSU Basketball team. They befriended him, spent time with him, and even gave him his own practice jersey. Months later, when the team played in the Midwest, Greg got to visit with his new friends. Scroll Down
PARTICIPATION: Throughout his life, Greg has actively participated in athletics -- from Little League as a child, to three varsity sports (football, baseball, basketball) as a teen, to a number of sprint triathlons as an adult. Following one of those races, he wrote a column for USA Triathlon. He has had other fun sports-related experiences including: Honorary Bat Boy for a Day for the Chicago Cubs, throwing out the first pitch at a Chicago White Sox' AAA affiliate game, and an all-in-fun "tryout" with the Minnesota Twins' AAA team'. Scroll Down
SPORTS & CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: On the civic side, sports (basketball, in particular) had a major role in the mentoring program that Greg started. Prominent figures in sports & fitness including active & retired pro athletes from MLB, NHL, and NFL have served on the Scholarship Boards of the foundation he started and/or contributed to the foundation. Scroll Down
BOOKS: Individual athletes who have competed in the Olympics &/or pro sports like MLB and NFL - as well as - a number of pro teams in MLB and NFL - as well as - health clubs, other organizations in the health & fitness arena, and nonprofits founded by former pro athletes have gotten Greg's books, workbooks &/or posters for local youth. Others (e.g. a collegiate soccer team) have gotten the books for their own student-athletes. Scroll Down
EVENTS: Greg has spoken at events for student-athletes at major universities and events for those in health-related fields (e.g. conference for nurses). At times, he has been one of multiple speakers at an event. In those cases, the other presenters have included current and former college head coaches. Scroll Down
ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS: Greg has profiled and interviewed interesting people for different publications including Oklahoma Sports & Fitness Magazine. The profiles/interviews have included ones about/with a collegiate student-athlete, a basketball camp owner, a minor league baseball player, an NBA assistant coach, an MLB staff member, and an NFL executive. In one instance, Greg wrote a column about the lessons learned from time he spent in a wheelchair after foot surgery. He also did a photo/journal essay for a newspaper about Friday Night Lights high school football in Texas.