Finding His Path

Gregory’s Journey Includes Honorary Shrine Bowl Position

Seth Buckley crystallized the importance of the Shrine Bowl on Wednesday night.

Looking out at 88 of the best senior football players in the Carolinas gathered at Philadelphia Baptist Church, the Director of Leadership Development at Fire Pit Ranch asked the players to keep a few things in mind ahead of Thursday’s visit to the Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville.

“You guys are mountains to them,” he said. “You’re giants. You’re their heroes. So when you talk to them, don’t tower over them. Hit a knee. Get down on their level. Look them in their eyes, tell them how happy you are to meet them, and tell them you’re excited to be there. They’ll remember it for the rest of their lives. And for some of them, that might not be long.”

That’s the unfortunate reality of the game, and the children who benefit from the funds raised by the annual effort. There is tragedy. But there’s also triumph. And that’s rarely been more evident than this season.

A Different Path

Andrew Gregory is the guy to see for anything equipment-related for Dorman football.

“I handle the helmets, the jerseys, the kneepads, I help Coach Dempsey with the laundry, I help pass out the pants,” he said. “Anything equipment-wise, it’s me and Coach Dempsey. And I do anything else the coaches ask me to do.”

He’s also a Shriners’ Hospital success story. Andrew was born 11 weeks early and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. His mother, Karen, attributes a lot of Andrew’s success to Andrew’s doctor and to the Shriners.

“Shriners played a major role in developing this confidence and independence through their emotional support of both Andrew and us, and the treatments that were given to him there to give him the best gait possible,” she said. “Dr. Westberry, his orthopedic surgeon, has worked miracles with Andrew’s muscles and bones. We were once told he would never walk without a device. Well, because of God’s faithfulness and Shriners’ exceptional surgeons, OTs and PTs, he is where he is today.”

Andrew said where he is today is miles from where he was, and he knows the Shriners Hospital and his doctors are a big reason why.

“I can’t say anything but wonderful things about Shriners,” he said. “Everybody there has been great. But Dr. Westberry has done tremendous things for me especially. He’s the one who has performed all of my surgeries, and it’s made a tremendous difference in my life.”

Those three surgeries, including one that caused Andrew to miss almost an entire semester of middle school, completely changed the way Andrew walks.

“Before the first surgery, I used to walk on my tippy-toes,” he said. “That’s now almost completely gone, and there’s a big difference from when I was a little kid until now.”

Where Andrew will be on Saturday is on the sidelines for the Shrine Bowl. He’s not sure what his duties will be yet, but he’s serving as the honorary equipment manager for the game.

“I’m honored,” he said. “Nobody has told me much about what I’ll be doing, but I was told they want me to be an honorary manager with them, and to be there Saturday at 10.”

Saturday will be the end of Andrew’s time as a high school equipment manager, and the culmination of a journey that started when he was much younger.

“I’ve always loved football my whole life,” he said. “I wanted to be part of the football team, but I couldn’t. So in middle school, I was equipment manager from 6^th grade through 8^th grade with the Gable football team.”

Karen knew Andrew’s path to the football field would be a different one. She also didn’t want him to hesitate to try.

“As a mother, it tugs at your heart to see your child long to be a part of a team, yet he can’t be due to simply being born too early and having complications from it,” she said. “We have always ‘pushed’ Andrew out into the world and told him he could make HIS way – it would just look differently than others.”

When he got to high school, Andrew couldn’t assist Dorman due to Covid. But in the second semester of his sophomore year, he reached out to the coaching staff. He’s been part of the team ever since.

“Andrew grew up going to every Dorman football game, even the away ones,” Karen said. “So, he always looked up to the coaches and players. Once he understood that he wouldn’t be able to play because of his legs, he, on his own, figured out how he COULD be a part, and went for it.”

The Cavaliers are sure glad he did. Mark Dempsey, Dorman’s assistant coach who Andrew works directly with in his position as equipment manager, said what Andrew adds to the program is immeasurable.

“Andrew is a True Blue Cavalier,” he said. “I honestly believe his blood runs Cavalier blue. I have thoroughly enjoyed having him a part of our football program since Day One. He is such a positive role model for our kids and coaches. I’ve never heard him say a bad word about anyone and he never complains. Andrew is what I would call an ‘old soul’. Over these past couple of years we’ve had countless conversations covering everything from sports to politics to religion to current events, you name it and we’ve talked about it. I know that I’m going to miss all the stuff he does for us – he really has very few limitations – but more than that, I’m going to miss our conversations.”

Andrew treasures those conversations, and said he’d miss them as well.

“He’s a great man, a great leader, and a great mentor,” Andrew said of Dempsey. “I enjoy being with him. He’s the best guy you’ll ever be around.”

The Cavaliers feel the same way about Andrew. Head coach Jake Morris said Andrew’s positive attitude is something that continuously shines through.

“Having a young man like Andrew in our program is a huge blessing,” Morris said. “Andrew’s passion and love for the game is amazing. Having him around our guys day-in and day-out just shows that no matter your circumstance in life, if you have a dream, you can always go get it. Every day he fights through adversity and still never has a bad day. Andrew exemplifies what it means to be a Cavalier.”

Karen calls that outlook “Andrew Attitude”.

“It’s consistent optimism and positivity about facing EVERY challenge he KNEW he would face EACH day. He has NEVER complained or wondered ‘why me?’. He inspires me daily.”

This summer, Andrew showed the Cavaliers what it means to persevere. The team hosted a Senior Summit, and one of their first stops was at the Shriners’ Hospital. There, to celebrate the success of his treatment, Andrew rang the ceremonial bell that signifies a patient’s final visit. His senior teammates got to watch.

“It was a great experience, especially just to see how the team reacted,” he said. “That was my favorite part, just to see the team reaction.”

Dempsey said he could think of nothing more appropriate.

“Andrew is the epitome of what the Shriners’ Hospital represents and serves as a shining example of just how important their work is,” he said. “With their help, Andrew has accomplished so much already and there’s still a lot more out there that he WILL accomplish because of what he learned under their care. His attitude and work ethic to be the best that he can possibly be is an inspiration to anyone who has ever been around him for any amount of time. I am so appreciative to the Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas for giving him this amazing opportunity.”

An Impactful Week

The opportunities provided by the Shrine Bowl – to players, coaches, staff, and everyone involved – start way before kickoff on Saturday. There are dinners and opportunities to fellowship with other players all week long. There’s the Wednesday night dinner and service at Philadelphia Baptist. There’s the much-anticipated Thursday visit to the Shriner’s Hospital, the highlight of the week that underscores the importance and mission of the game. And then, finally, there’s the chance to square off on the field in the actual game.

The atmosphere surrounding the event showcases the very best of the community. It’s something special to be a part of.

Harrison’s vice president Kevin Harrison said being involved is important to his family, as well as the company.

“Obviously with my dad being the first Shrine Bowl player from Dorman, it has sentimental value,” he said. “But the real importance is the cause it supports. To see first-hand the work the Shriners’ Hospital does for kids is so encouraging. To see how one of our Dorman senior football managers was impacted as a child, and how they’ve helped him, is amazing.”

“It’s Just A Special Thing”

Andrew’s different path isn’t done. He’s going to enroll in college, likely at SMC. When he graduates, he’d like a career in sports management or somewhere else in the sports industry. Past his first two years, he’s already reached out to continue his managerial duties on the football field. As always, he’s setting a lofty goal.

“I wrote a letter to Dabo Swinney about helping at Clemson,” he said. “About a month later I got a response from their equipment guy.”

No matter his future on the field, Dempsey expects Andrew back to visit often.

“I am so blessed that our paths crossed,” he said. “I do hope that Andrew has learned a little bit from me over the past couple of years because I’ve definitely learned a lot from him. I truly consider Andrew someone who will be a lifelong friend. He has promised to visit me in the nursing home when that time comes and I’m going to hold him to it!”

Andrew intends to maintain those ties, and said he’s thankful to Dempsey and the Dorman program. He’s also thankful to the Shriners’ Hospital for his experience there.

“I think it’s special that people are willing to give their time back to that wonderful place and the people who are there,” he said. “It’s just a special thing that people are willing to do that.”