Greg White

Birthplace:  Salinas, Califor-nia.
Birthdate:  Oct. 16, 1967.
Marital status: Married with 4 amazing kids.
Title:    President, Pop Warner Football; 7th Grade Football Coach.
Tell us something about your involvement with Ashland athletics: I was quarterback for the Grizzlies back in the mid 80s, and in 1986 it was first time in 35 years we’d gone to the playoffs. I also quarterbacked for SOU for one year. In 2003 I became president of the local Pop Warner Football, which is a national youth program for kids 7-12. We won the state championship in both 2006 and 2007, and the kids got to play at Autzen Stadium. I coach 7th grade football at the middle school. I’m coaching coordinator for the Ashland Little League, where I manage a majors team, and I’m on the board of the Ashland Basketball Club. I also do the play-by-play at Ashland football games.
How long have you lived in Ashland? My parents moved here in 1981 when I was in 8th grade. I opened an Allstate insurance office downtown in 1996, but my wife and I lived in Medford. When my oldest started school, I said, “There’s no way he’s going to play football in Medford,” and we moved back to Ashland. In 2001 I joined Reinholdt & O’Harra Insurance, which I now own with Jerry Cole. The office is celebrating its 70th year of being locally owned and operated.
Favorite movie:  Rudy, and the Lord of the Ring series.
Favorite play:  Any play with our friend’s daughter Anne Skinner in (currently MacBeth).
Favorite actor:  Harrison Ford.
Favorite actress:  Meg Ryan.
Favorite TV show:  Life and Medium.
Favorite radio station:  iPod & 102.7.
Favorite book:  I’m not sure I could identify a favorite but I mostly read books related to sports and business.  I recently read Playing For Pizza by Grisham and enjoyed that.  On the business side I’m currently reading 60 Second Leader.
Favorite magazine:   Sports Illus-trated.
Favorite pet of all time:   Mo (our Bassett Hound).
Other than friends and family, what person do you admire the most? George Keil, a QB coach and teacher back in high school. He always believed in me.  I try to remember what a role model he has been and hope that someday I will have a positive impact on a few of my players. 
What’s the first thing you turn to when you read a daily newspaper?   Sports.
Favorite part of the Sneak Preview:  Profile.
Favorite hobbies: Golf, playing basketball, coaching, hanging with my family.
Favorite kind of music:  Classic rock.
Favorite local restaurants: Tabu, Pasta Piatti, Ashland Bakery & Cafe,  El Arriero.
What would you do if you won $10 million in the lottery?  Rebuild the entire high school football field and stadium, get out of debt, share, and buy my wife an amazing house.
What is the most important thing you learned as a child?  “Your word is your worth and your worth is your word.” Also, my dad’s saying, “do your best and forget the rest.”
What person or event had the biggest impact on your life?  Meeting my wife. We married at a young  age but have made it through. We will celebrate our 20th anniversary this June.
Proudest achievement:  Besides my family, I would say coaching my sons in back-to-back Pop Warner state championships in 2006 and 2007.
Favorite thing about Ashland:  It has certainly changed but I really believe that at its core, it is a great place to live and a great place to raise my kids.
What changes would you like to see in Ashland?   I have lived here a long time and as I get older and travel a fair amount I realize how amazing Ashland is.  If it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.