Kurtis Gregory

Classroom

Gregory is a graduate student, starting up his second year of graduate program work in agriculture systems management. He got his undergraduate degree in agriculture in just three years, and graduated with a solid 3.48 GPA. He is scheduled to finish his master’s degree in May of 2010. He was a first team Academic All-Big 12 selection in 2007 and 2008. Gregory is from rural Missouri where all he knows is farming and ranching, and his dream, once football is over, is to go back home and live off the land like his family has done forever . He goes home all the time during the year to help with the various seasonal chores, and even takes his teammates with him on occasion to show them what hard work is like (and they always say a day on the farm is much harder than a football practice).

Character

Gregory is heavily involved in numerous community service projects about which he is enthusiastic. He came up with the idea during bowl season for his teammates and coaches to donate money to the Adopt-A-Family program over the holidays, supplying goods and food to underprivileged families in the area, and Gregory encouraged his teammates to donate some of their per-diem money they received over the holiday break. The team raised $1,001 for the cause. He’s a popular participant in reading nights at local elementary schools, and he has participated in several photo shoots and TV shoots to raise awareness for organizations such as the Children’s Hospital, the United Way and the Central Missouri Food Bank. He also represents MU’s athletic department at numerous events throughout the year that include donors and fans. He also volunteers his time to serve as the Vice President/Treasurer for the school’s Student-Athlete Advisory Council, which is a representative government-based council that represents the views and needs of student-athletes and serves as a liaison to the athletic administration.

Community

Gregory was named the recipient of the 2008-09 Varsity M Male Athlete of the Year at the first annual Mizzou ROARS Spring Awards Show, the award signifying the student-athlete who encompasses the best of athletics, academics and community service. He was chosen as Mizzou’s 2008-09 Big 12/Chick-Fil-A Community Champion, which is an award that honors student-athletes for their contributions on the field, in the classroom and in the community

Competition

Gregory will be in his third year as a starter on the offensive line in 2009, and he’s the anchor to a line that has been phenomenal each of the past two years. Mizzou ranked 8th in the NCAA in total offense in 2008 (484.14 ypg), 6th in scoring (42.21 ppg) and 4th in passing (330.36 ypg). The Tigers allowed only 33 sacks on the year, good for a per-game average of just 1.21 that ranked MU 16th-best in the NCAA. Gregory earned second team All-Big 12 honors as a junior in 2008 and is a preseason All-Big 12 candidate in 2009.