MEDAL OF COURAGE Greg Gardner began his wrestling career at age ten in Springfield, Illinois. With no elementary or middle school wrestling programs in town, Greg learned the sport from his father and uncle, IWCOA Hall of Fame Coaches Jack and Jim Gardner. As an 8th grader, Greg went on to place third in the IKWF state tournament. Competing for Springfield Southeast High School, his accomplishments included MVP and captain of his high school football team. But it was wrestling where Greg really stood out. Under the tutelage of his father Jack, Greg qualified for the Illinois State wrestling tournament three times. Greg placed twice; earning All-State honors his junior and senior years. In 1986 Greg became the city's first state champion, capping an undefeated senior season with a 43-0 record. Greg represented Team Illinois at the Jr. National Freestyle Tournament, placing 3rd and earning All-American status. After high school, Greg earned a scholarship to Illinois State University, where he joined his brother Mark and later, his cousin Andy and brother, Brad, wrestling for IWCOA Hall of Fame coach George Girardi. While at ISU, Greg became a Division I NCAA national qualifier. He was voted MVP and team captain both his junior and senior seasons and posted an 83-32 career mark for the Redbirds. Greg received his BS in Special Education from ISU and later, his MA from the University of Illinois-Springfield in Educational Administration. Greg enjoyed a 14-year career as a teacher, administrator and football and wrestling coach at Southeast High School. As a wrestling coach, Greg coached many state qualifiers and multiple state place winners. Greg also spent six years as a freestyle coach for the Illinois National Freestyle Team. In 2003, Greg was appointed the Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools for Sangamon County. In January of 2005, Greg was struck by a car while jogging and complications after the accident left Greg paralyzed. A quadriplegic, Greg has since worked tirelessly to help others in his situation to succeed. Greg has stocked a building with rehabilitation equipment at his own expense, where he welcomes area quadriplegics and paraplegics to continue their rehabilitation free of charge. Greg has traveled the state, volunteering to speak to wrestling teams about mental preparation and self-motivation. Greg founded Individual Differences, Inc., a 503(c) non-profit charity, developed to provide equipment and other resources to the handicapped and other individuals in need. Greg still resides in Springfield, Illinois and has been married to his wife, Roxanne, for over 17 years. He is the father of three wonderful daughters; Bre (15), Brooke (12) and Katie (8). "I wake up every morning and say that there's gonna be things I'm limited to. I'm still going to have a good life, but its just going to be a different kind of life," says Greg. Perhaps Greg's friend Joe Maddox best describes Greg's situation"” "Greg happens to be one of the best teachers that I've ever been around. If the lesson is attitude, Greg is the Ph. D of the Ph. D. of that. He is such an example."