Those who know Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag will tell you the 7-footer can act a bit goofy at times.
“He can be as different as anyone. He could be the weirdest guy in the world, but everyone would agree what he is doing is pretty neat,” said Greg Gurley, a tri-captain with Ostertag and Calvin Rayford on Kansas University’s 1994-95 men’s basketball team.
The free-spirited Ostertag later this month will donate one of his kidneys to his diabetic sister, Amy.
“I think when you are talking about family members, we’d all do the same thing if we were a match,” Gurley said. “That doesn’t make it any easier for Greg. It’s really commendable.”
It’s something else, too.
“It is a pretty courageous act. It shows the true character of Greg,” said Jerod Haase, an administrative aide on coach Roy Williams’ KU staff who played alongside the ‘Big O’ one season. “Certainly Greg is fun-hearted and always in good spirits nobody has ever questioned his loyalty and dedication to family and friends.”
Ostertag has performed some charitable acts in the past.
His Greg Ostertag Golf Classics held annually in Lawrence from 1995 to 2000 raised money for the American Lung Assn. Less publicized acts of kindness include providing a home for former teammate C.B. McGrath during the summer of 1998.
“One time he told me I always had a place to stay if I ever happened to be in Utah. I called him up and said, ‘Greg, I have an internship with the Utah Starzz (of WNBA). Can I take you up on the offer?”‘ said McGrath, an administrative assistant on KU’s basketball staff. “He didn’t hesitate in saying, ‘Yes.’ I stayed in the basement of their condo. I met his sister out there that summer. She’s a really nice person.
“I’ve never had a problem with Greg. He’s always treated me nicely and I’ve always liked him. He’s more of a goofball than anything in terms of on the court, maybe. But I’ve always known the more serious side of Greg. He had a child and wife when he was in college. He got around the guys and liked to screw around, but 1-on-1 he’s mature.
“Hopefully he’ll get some good press from this,” McGrath continued. “Lord knows he doesn’t get his share.”
Ostertag, who will spend several days in the hospital after giving his kidney, didn’t spend much time in the training room during his KU career.
“He had one stress fracture (sophomore year). Other than that he was a big ol’ horse,” KU trainer Mark Cairns said, laughing. “Greg has a fun-loving, kid-type personality. But I know family is No. 1 in his life. He has always been the type of kid who will do anything he could to help somebody, especially a family member.”
Having a kidney removed is risky business.
“My wife, Janet, is a nurse and we’ve discussed it. It’s significant, a major surgery,” Cairns said. “I’ve had a family member have a kidney removed with a golf-ball-sized tumor on it. I know for the next couple of weeks (after surgery) he will not feel too good.”
KU’s current players will be pulling for Ostertag.
“Coach Williams, really moreso than any coach, works to develop a family atmosphere in his program,” Haase said of his boss, who is out of town and unavailable for comment. “Guys on the team now are pulling for Greg. Speaking as a teammate, we all want nothing but the best for him.”
Williams has said Ostertag was responsible for many of the gray hairs on his head.
Remember the time Ostertag’s van ran over his foot, days prior to the start of the 1995 NCAA Tournament?
“I’d say Greg is normal in terms of toughness,” Cairns assessed. “One of the best things Greg has going for him is (wife) Heidi. She is the tough one in the family I’d say. I’m sure she’ll help him through this.”
Those who know Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag will tell you the 7-footer can act a bit goofy at times.
“He can be as different as anyone. He could be the weirdest guy in the world, but everyone would agree what he is doing is pretty neat,” said Greg Gurley, a tri-captain with Ostertag and Calvin Rayford on Kansas University’s 1994-95 men’s basketball team.
The free-spirited Ostertag later this month will donate one of his kidneys to his diabetic sister, Amy.
“I think when you are talking about family members, we’d all do the same thing if we were a match,” Gurley said. “That doesn’t make it any easier for Greg. It’s really commendable.”
It’s something else, too.
“It is a pretty courageous act. It shows the true character of Greg,” said Jerod Haase, an administrative aide on coach Roy Williams’ KU staff who played alongside the ‘Big O’ one season. “Certainly Greg is fun-hearted and always in good spirits nobody has ever questioned his loyalty and dedication to family and friends.”
Ostertag has performed some charitable acts in the past.
His Greg Ostertag Golf Classics held annually in Lawrence from 1995 to 2000 raised money for the American Lung Assn. Less publicized acts of kindness include providing a home for former teammate C.B. McGrath during the summer of 1998.
“One time he told me I always had a place to stay if I ever happened to be in Utah. I called him up and said, ‘Greg, I have an internship with the Utah Starzz (of WNBA). Can I take you up on the offer?”‘ said McGrath, an administrative assistant on KU’s basketball staff. “He didn’t hesitate in saying, ‘Yes.’ I stayed in the basement of their condo. I met his sister out there that summer. She’s a really nice person.
“I’ve never had a problem with Greg. He’s always treated me nicely and I’ve always liked him. He’s more of a goofball than anything in terms of on the court, maybe. But I’ve always known the more serious side of Greg. He had a child and wife when he was in college. He got around the guys and liked to screw around, but 1-on-1 he’s mature.
“Hopefully he’ll get some good press from this,” McGrath continued. “Lord knows he doesn’t get his share.”
Ostertag, who will spend several days in the hospital after giving his kidney, didn’t spend much time in the training room during his KU career.
“He had one stress fracture (sophomore year). Other than that he was a big ol’ horse,” KU trainer Mark Cairns said, laughing. “Greg has a fun-loving, kid-type personality. But I know family is No. 1 in his life. He has always been the type of kid who will do anything he could to help somebody, especially a family member.”
Having a kidney removed is risky business.
“My wife, Janet, is a nurse and we’ve discussed it. It’s significant, a major surgery,” Cairns said. “I’ve had a family member have a kidney removed with a golf-ball-sized tumor on it. I know for the next couple of weeks (after surgery) he will not feel too good.”
KU’s current players will be pulling for Ostertag.
“Coach Williams, really moreso than any coach, works to develop a family atmosphere in his program,” Haase said of his boss, who is out of town and unavailable for comment. “Guys on the team now are pulling for Greg. Speaking as a teammate, we all want nothing but the best for him.”
Williams has said Ostertag was responsible for many of the gray hairs on his head.
Remember the time Ostertag’s van ran over his foot, days prior to the start of the 1995 NCAA Tournament?
“I’d say Greg is normal in terms of toughness,” Cairns assessed. “One of the best things Greg has going for him is (wife) Heidi. She is the tough one in the family I’d say. I’m sure she’ll help him through this.”
Those who know Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag will tell you the 7-footer can act a bit goofy at times.
“He can be as different as anyone. He could be the weirdest guy in the world, but everyone would agree what he is doing is pretty neat,” said Greg Gurley, a tri-captain with Ostertag and Calvin Rayford on Kansas University’s 1994-95 men’s basketball team.
The free-spirited Ostertag later this month will donate one of his kidneys to his diabetic sister, Amy.
“I think when you are talking about family members, we’d all do the same thing if we were a match,” Gurley said. “That doesn’t make it any easier for Greg. It’s really commendable.”
It’s something else, too.
“It is a pretty courageous act. It shows the true character of Greg,” said Jerod Haase, an administrative aide on coach Roy Williams’ KU staff who played alongside the ‘Big O’ one season. “Certainly Greg is fun-hearted and always in good spirits nobody has ever questioned his loyalty and dedication to family and friends.”
Ostertag has performed some charitable acts in the past.
His Greg Ostertag Golf Classics held annually in Lawrence from 1995 to 2000 raised money for the American Lung Assn. Less publicized acts of kindness include providing a home for former teammate C.B. McGrath during the summer of 1998.
“One time he told me I always had a place to stay if I ever happened to be in Utah. I called him up and said, ‘Greg, I have an internship with the Utah Starzz (of WNBA). Can I take you up on the offer?”‘ said McGrath, an administrative assistant on KU’s basketball staff. “He didn’t hesitate in saying, ‘Yes.’ I stayed in the basement of their condo. I met his sister out there that summer. She’s a really nice person.
“I’ve never had a problem with Greg. He’s always treated me nicely and I’ve always liked him. He’s more of a goofball than anything in terms of on the court, maybe. But I’ve always known the more serious side of Greg. He had a child and wife when he was in college. He got around the guys and liked to screw around, but 1-on-1 he’s mature.
“Hopefully he’ll get some good press from this,” McGrath continued. “Lord knows he doesn’t get his share.”
Ostertag, who will spend several days in the hospital after giving his kidney, didn’t spend much time in the training room during his KU career.
“He had one stress fracture (sophomore year). Other than that he was a big ol’ horse,” KU trainer Mark Cairns said, laughing. “Greg has a fun-loving, kid-type personality. But I know family is No. 1 in his life. He has always been the type of kid who will do anything he could to help somebody, especially a family member.”
Having a kidney removed is risky business.
“My wife, Janet, is a nurse and we’ve discussed it. It’s significant, a major surgery,” Cairns said. “I’ve had a family member have a kidney removed with a golf-ball-sized tumor on it. I know for the next couple of weeks (after surgery) he will not feel too good.”
KU’s current players will be pulling for Ostertag.
“Coach Williams, really moreso than any coach, works to develop a family atmosphere in his program,” Haase said of his boss, who is out of town and unavailable for comment. “Guys on the team now are pulling for Greg. Speaking as a teammate, we all want nothing but the best for him.”
Williams has said Ostertag was responsible for many of the gray hairs on his head.
Remember the time Ostertag’s van ran over his foot, days prior to the start of the 1995 NCAA Tournament?
“I’d say Greg is normal in terms of toughness,” Cairns assessed. “One of the best things Greg has going for him is (wife) Heidi. She is the tough one in the family I’d say. I’m sure she’ll help him through this.”
Those who know Utah Jazz center Greg Ostertag will tell you the 7-footer can act a bit goofy at times.
“He can be as different as anyone. He could be the weirdest guy in the world, but everyone would agree what he is doing is pretty neat,” said Greg Gurley, a tri-captain with Ostertag and Calvin Rayford on Kansas University’s 1994-95 men’s basketball team.
The free-spirited Ostertag later this month will donate one of his kidneys to his diabetic sister, Amy.
“I think when you are talking about family members, we’d all do the same thing if we were a match,” Gurley said. “That doesn’t make it any easier for Greg. It’s really commendable.”
It’s something else, too.
“It is a pretty courageous act. It shows the true character of Greg,” said Jerod Haase, an administrative aide on coach Roy Williams’ KU staff who played alongside the ‘Big O’ one season. “Certainly Greg is fun-hearted and always in good spirits nobody has ever questioned his loyalty and dedication to family and friends.”
Ostertag has performed some charitable acts in the past.
His Greg Ostertag Golf Classics held annually in Lawrence from 1995 to 2000 raised money for the American Lung Assn. Less publicized acts of kindness include providing a home for former teammate C.B. McGrath during the summer of 1998.
“One time he told me I always had a place to stay if I ever happened to be in Utah. I called him up and said, ‘Greg, I have an internship with the Utah Starzz (of WNBA). Can I take you up on the offer?”‘ said McGrath, an administrative assistant on KU’s basketball staff. “He didn’t hesitate in saying, ‘Yes.’ I stayed in the basement of their condo. I met his sister out there that summer. She’s a really nice person.
“I’ve never had a problem with Greg. He’s always treated me nicely and I’ve always liked him. He’s more of a goofball than anything in terms of on the court, maybe. But I’ve always known the more serious side of Greg. He had a child and wife when he was in college. He got around the guys and liked to screw around, but 1-on-1 he’s mature.
“Hopefully he’ll get some good press from this,” McGrath continued. “Lord knows he doesn’t get his share.”
Ostertag, who will spend several days in the hospital after giving his kidney, didn’t spend much time in the training room during his KU career.
“He had one stress fracture (sophomore year). Other than that he was a big ol’ horse,” KU trainer Mark Cairns said, laughing. “Greg has a fun-loving, kid-type personality. But I know family is No. 1 in his life. He has always been the type of kid who will do anything he could to help somebody, especially a family member.”
Having a kidney removed is risky business.
“My wife, Janet, is a nurse and we’ve discussed it. It’s significant, a major surgery,” Cairns said. “I’ve had a family member have a kidney removed with a golf-ball-sized tumor on it. I know for the next couple of weeks (after surgery) he will not feel too good.”
KU’s current players will be pulling for Ostertag.
“Coach Williams, really moreso than any coach, works to develop a family atmosphere in his program,” Haase said of his boss, who is out of town and unavailable for comment. “Guys on the team now are pulling for Greg. Speaking as a teammate, we all want nothing but the best for him.”
Williams has said Ostertag was responsible for many of the gray hairs on his head.
Remember the time Ostertag’s van ran over his foot, days prior to the start of the 1995 NCAA Tournament?
“I’d say Greg is normal in terms of toughness,” Cairns assessed. “One of the best things Greg has going for him is (wife) Heidi. She is the tough one in the family I’d say. I’m sure she’ll help him through this.”
