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Golf legend Greg Norman to tee it up at GameChanger

Australian pro golfer Greg Norman will deliver keynote remarks during the annual GameChanger gathering at the Greenbrier Resort in White Sulphur Springs. (Photo Provided)

MORGANTOWN — Look for a Great White Shark sighting in May at the Greenbrier Resort.

Greg Norman, the Australian pro golfer known by the above moniker, will deliver keynote remarks there during the annual GameChanger gathering at the five-star resort in White Sulphur Springs.

GameChanger is the drug prevention and awareness program geared to Mountain State youth from kindergarten to their senior year of high school.

“We’re working hard,” said Joe Boczek, the former sports information director of West Virginia University who founded the program six years ago after watching someone he loved nearly die from the ravages of drug abuse.

“And we’re going to keep working hard,” continued Boczek, who is also executive director of the organization. “Because this isn’t going away.”

The numbers attached bear a grim roll call, Boczek said.

Every five minutes in America, he said, someone dies of a drug overdose.

A son.

A daughter.

A girlfriend or boyfriend.

Somebody’s dad, or that roommate from college who just seemed to always have it together – no matter what.

“Drugs don’t discriminate,” he said. “It could be anyone, from any walk of life.”

That’s why he appreciates that people and businesses from all walks have signed on with the GameChanger mission – including West Virginia University Medicine, which is the title sponsor for this year’s Greenbrier gathering May 27-28.

“It’s very gratifying for us to know that WVU Medicine has confidence in what we’re doing,” Boczek said.

“WVU Medicine is proud to lend its name,” said Albert L. Wright Jr., who is president and CEO of WVU Health System. “We appreciate the broad group of business, civic, faith and political leaders who come together each year for an event that has such a positive impact on children across West Virginia.”

Meanwhile, the bulk of the work, Boczek said, is achieved by boots on the ground.

Some 225,000 students, in 200 schools across the state and surrounding region, have been on the listening end of a GameChanger lesson plan in recent years, its executive director said.

During the golf tournament that’s always part of the GameChanger dinner and weekend, people will be on the visual side of a golf legend at work, Boczek said.

Norman will also tee it up for the tournament.

“I’m honored to support an organization that is working hard to protect the next generation,” the golfer said.

At the top of his game, the Great White Shark won more than 90 tournaments across the globe, while defending his No. 1 ranking in the annals of world golf for more than 300 weeks.

He’s also a businessman with a diverse portfolio including branded courses and a clothing line.

Might Boczek, who also has been known to swing a club, tee it up for a go against the Great White Shark?

“I’m not gonna embarrass myself like that,” he said, laughing.

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