Greg Saunders, ’88
Greg Saunders was born to Richard "Hoover" Saunders and Susie Saunders in Charleston, West Virginia. The oldest of two siblings, Greg was raised in the tight-knit community of Rand, West Virginia, where he grew up loving sports and admiring some of the greatest athletes in the state who were from that community. His mom instilled in him that "education and good grades take priority over athletics."
Greg played basketball at DuPont High School for Coach Jim Fout, DuPont's all-time winningest coach. There, Coach Fout instilled in him the idea that "if you're not working hard on your game every day, someone is, and they will pass you by." He started for DuPont his junior and senior years and was named to the All-KVC First Team both years. Greg was in the Top 10 in scoring, assists, steals and free throw percentage in both seasons in the KVC and was Honorable Mention All-State both seasons.
Greg was recruited to West Virginia Tech by the late Coach Tom Sutherland. After arriving in Montgomery in the fall of 1983, he continued to work hard in both the classroom and on the basketball court. As the point guard, Greg helped lead Tech to the 1986 WVIAC Tournament Championship where they defeated the University of Charleston for the Title. That year, he was named the WMON Most Improved Player because of his solid play at point guard. With a team record of 23-10, he led the team in assists, steals and free throw percentage. More importantly, he only turned the ball over 47 times out of 32 games played while playing close to 37 minutes a game.
In 1987, his senior year, Greg was named Captain. He shot 49.6% from the field, 50% (50 of 100) from behind the 3 point line and again led the team in assists and steals. Greg was named the MVP of The Lenoir-Rhyne Tournament in Hickory, North Carolina. He also earned The 1987 George Springer Award, WVIAC's Outstanding Sport and the 1987 Sparky Adams Competitors Award. He was also voted by the students as the 1986-87 Mr. Golden Bear Homecoming King.
In 1988, after graduating with a bachelor's degree in business management, Greg went to work in the banking and finance industry for 28 years. There, he received numerous awards from his company. On March 23, 2008, Greg made the best decision that anyone can ever make. He accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior and began attending Abundant Life Ministries in Charleston, West Virginia. There, he met the woman that God had ordained for him to love and spend his life with, the former Robin Taylor. Robin and Greg were married on August 8, 2009, one year exactly after they met. Greg was ordained a Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ on December 13, 2014 and received his bachelor's degree in theology on June 21, 2015.
He and Robin reside in Hurricane, West Virginia.
