This story is part of the USMC/AVCA Battles Won Award series. This new award recognizes volleyball players and coaches who are overcoming obstacles, both on and off the court.
Greg Kimmel, Susquehanna Women’s Volleyball Assistant Coach
During the 2021 women’s volleyball season, Greg had a serious heart attack at an early season tournament.
What happened to you?
In 2021, between matches at an invitational Johns Hopkins was hosting, I suffered a serious heart attack out of nowhere. I was told that I was deceased for seven minutes.”
“I was very fortunate to be at the place I was, and to be with the people I was with. There was an individual who was an ex-Army medic and a former Maryland State Police Officer who performed CPR on me. There was a nurse there who helped me, as well, before I was taken to the hospital.”
“The next two weeks were wild: they told me everything from ‘It’s not that big of a deal’ to ‘You’re not operable.’ Then, after 12 days in the hospital, I did have an ICD implanted.”
“Since then, I have returned to work full-time but have had a few minor episodes. On Christmas Eve of 2021 I had another heart attack. A few days later I had an ablation. They say right now I am at a higher risk of a stroke than a heart attack. They told me that I will most likely have to have another ablation sometime in the next six months to 20 years, but I feel good and am very grateful for things getting back to mostly ‘normal.’ ”
What were some of the most difficult parts?
“The biggest challenge for me was the roller coaster of what we could do and couldn’t do from a medical standpoint early on. Second, when I first had my heart attack, I wasn’t able to drive for six months so I had to rely on someone else to take me wherever I wanted to go. That was hard since I live an hour from the school.”
“I handle our recruiting, and once I was back on the job, getting in the swing of traveling to different cities to scout and watch players was tough. We’d fly to different cities, and it was difficult because I had to get on a plane and I was away from home, and so many ‘what-ifs’ came into my head.”
What have you learned during this?“On Day 12, the doctor came in and told me my numbers look pretty good and I could go home in a few days. My daughter was with me, and I turned to her and a flood of emotions came out; it was overwhelming. It was a relief to finally have an answer of what the next step was, and it reminded us how great it is to get to keep living. I get to do things that other people don’t, and I feel beyond grateful.”
“One of the things I started doing after all of this is when I wake up every morning, I take a picture of whatever the sunrise is that I have outside wherever I’m at. Dark mornings … rainy days … whatever it is, I take a picture because I get to start another day! Every night I think of one thing that made me happy during the day.”
Talk about the support you’ve received through everything?
“My family was a huge, huge help and support, and also our team and coaches. I’m a very lucky man!”
“What came as a surprise to me was the number of individuals from the volleyball world who reached out. One of the teams who witnessed everything that day sent me a card. They didn’t know me personally, so to take time out of their schedules and do that really meant a lot! There have been so many people contact me, and that has been really unexpected, helpful and encouraging.”
“I am forever grateful for everything that Greg brings to this program including his incredible ability to stay focused and active in recruiting, especially during his recovery. He is one of the brightest beacons that we can shine for our young student athletes in demonstrating that struggles aren’t meant to stop you. You can get over them, under them, around them or, like Greg, smash right through them!” — Ku’uipo Tom, Susquehanna Head Women’s Volleyball Coach
Check out stories of other Battles Won Award nominees
