MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — University High School standout punter Jimmy Gregg has used his trade to raise a record amount of money for Kohl’s Champions benefits Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF).
“We have been so honored to have Jimmy be a part of the Kohl’s Champions program this year,” said Daniel Silvernail, Community Engagement Coordinator for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “He has gone above and beyond and exemplifies what it means to be a champion for kids with cancer! Jimmy was our top fundraiser, and the funds that he raised will help to make a real difference.”
Out of nearly 100 punters, kickers, and long snappers nationwide, the 6-foot 1-inch, 195-pound kicker for the Hawks was the only participant from the Mountain State and raised more money than any other kicker for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, known as Kohl’s Champions.
“It’s been a lot of fun to do it,” Gregg said. “Making the posts, wearing the T-shirts, and creating knowledge and educating people on how serious the issue is and how much it means to me.”
Gregg said a big inspiration and influence in his life was his grandfather, Ernie Gregg. Jimmy said his grandfather was a cancer survivor who looked for the best in others and tried to lift them up.
“It also hit really close to home for me because I lost my grandfather to cancer last year,” Gregg said. “So, having the opportunity to do something like this was really an easy “yes.”
Gregg joined the Kohl’s Champions through Kohl’s Kicking, an organization where he receives training and attends camps.
Gregg said he had no idea he was recording territory for the total amount of money raised as the season progressed. Gregg is one of the top punters nationwide with a five-star rating and punting for just shy of 1,600 yards for the season.
“He beat cancer twice, but he died from cancer the third time,” Gregg said. “It really impacted me, especially with the long history of breast cancer in my family as well.”
This was not the first fundraising effort for Gregg with ALSF. Gregg said he raised money for the ALSF as a third grader but really didn’t understand at the time the impact he was capable of making.
“I think I only had like $100 or something; it wasn’t a crazy amount,” Gregg said. “But I also really didn’t have much perspective on the actual meaning—I was doing it because I’ve enjoyed it.”
His record-breaking efforts have not only made him a “punter to watch,” but they also funded 154 hours of cancer research.
“It means that I get to help change other people’s lives and make other people’s lives better,” Gregg said. “It’s bigger and more than football—if I have the opportunity to change somebody’s life and help with something they are dealing with, I’m absolutely proud of that.”
“We have been so honored to have Jimmy be a part of the Kohl’s Champions program this year,” said Daniel Silvernail, Community Engagement Coordinator for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. “He has gone above and beyond and exemplifies what it means to be a champion for kids with cancer! Jimmy was our top fundraiser, and the funds that he raised will help to make a real difference.”
Gregg is being recruited by teams from the Big 12, SEC, ACC, and the Big 10.
Picture: From Left- Jimmy Gregg, Jamie Kohl