Chowan University Athletics

As a native of Ahoskie, Greg Harrell is considered a hometown hero to many, growing up just minutes from the Chowan University campus. 

After graduating from Ahoskie High School, Harrell was recruited by then Coach Jim Garrison to play football. Greg played two very successful seasons under Garrison and in 1981 helped his team to an East Bowl Championship. In his final season with the then braves, Harrell earned All-American honors as a wide receiver. 

After graduation from Chowan, Harrell went on to play football at the University of Maryland under then Coach Bobby Ross. He helped the Terrapins appear in three bowl games and claim stake to two ACC Championships. 

In 1985, Harrell was chosen as a free agent to play for the San Diego Chargers. After one year with the Chargers, a knee injury sidelined Harrell for three seasons. After three years of extensive rehabilitation on his knee, Harrell spent three years playing for an arena football team in Washington, D.C. 

In 1988, Harrell began training for the United States Olympic bobsledding team. During training, he was invited to try out for the L.A. Raiders where he played for four seasons. During the NFL off season he played football in London, England for the London Monarchs,  all the while still training for the Olympic bobsled team.  In 1991, he and his teammates earned a bronze and silver medal at the World Bobsled Championships. In 1992, Harrell represented the United States in the two-man bobsled event in the winter Olympics in Albertville, France. 

Greg Harrell and his wife, Eva, reside in the Washington, D.C. area. They have four children, Courtney, Alexis, Maya, and Jordan. Greg is very involved in the community and works as a motivational speaker and a mortgage broker.