North Central College Athletics

Born to Harry and Gretchen Gregory, Larry was the youngest of six children. An active member of 4-H, Gregory was fond of farming and the hard work and challenges that came with it. He was selected to attend the 4-H National Congress. He also was interested in electrical projects and had wired his first home by the age of sixteen. 

Gregory graduated from Naperville High School in 1947 and attended the University of Illinois for one semester before transferring to North Central, where he would continue to have ties to for many years.

Through the years, Gregory served on the board of trustees at North Central College, Grace United Methodist Church and Edward Hospital. In addition, he was named the president of the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Naperville. He was also a member of the Naperville Planning Commission, and eventually, was a member of the Naperville Zoning Board of Appeals. He was a contributor to the Naperville River Walk construction as well.

Honored for his contributions to North Central’s athletic facilities — and to the campus as a whole — beginning with the 1976 “18,000 Miracle in Naperville” that created the former stadium with sweat equity and donated materials and services; as CEO of Gregory Electric, Inc., was involved in virtually every major construction project on campus for many decades, including today’s Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium; life trustee of the College; was honored in 1987 with the naming of Gregory Arena; recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award in 1977.  On May 6, 2009, Larry Gregory passed away.