Greg St. Germain has been an affable and instantly recognizable face around Athletics and Recreation since staring for the men's soccer team in the mid-1990s, and now as the go-to guy setting up varsity and community events on campus.
 
Now, the beloved equipment assistant has become something of a hero to the ALS community.
 
In his off hours, St. Germain has channeled his charisma and ability to get things done into managing three ALS Move to Cure events in Abbotsford, Coquitlam and Surrey that have raised over $750,000 for research and quality of life support.
 
St. Germain manages all aspects of the three ALS events each year as well as volunteers as a camp counsellor at the ALS annual summer camp for children from families impacted by ALS. This past year the Surrey one-day event managed by St. Germain raised a record $90,000.
 
During his day job, St. Germain brings a roll-up-your-sleeves approach and a can-do attitude, prepping the facilities for varsity events. And he has done it in typical St. Germain fashion – with a positive attitude and willingness to work hard to achieve success. It was this same attitude that enabled St. Germain to excel on the soccer field. Nearly 26 years after the conclusion of his SFU career, he remains among the top 25 all-time in scoring.
 
That same attitude has helped St. Germain stage incredible ALS Move to Cure events. He secures volunteers, local sponsors, entertainment, musicians and, of course, participants. He's recruited SFU students and student-athletes to participate. Often, he spends his off-work hours in May and June picking up equipment and donations, meeting with volunteers, and planning the events.
 
St. Germain has been running the events for eight years so successfully, ALS invited him to be their keynote speaker at an ALS training conference. St. Germain is going to help all of the ALS event managers all over British Columbia up their game and improve their local events.
 
At the annual summer camp for 7-10-year-olds, St. Germain volunteers as councillor. His role is to ensure the kids are safe and have fun. The kids participate in outdoor activities, such as rock climbing, canoeing, archery, and more importantly, get to spend time with other kids impacted by a family member suffering with ALS. The camp sessions include psychologists who help children process their emotions and what's happening in their life.
 
"This year we had a girl whose father passed away from ALS while she was at the camp and it broke my heart to see her pain and grief," said St. Germain. "I've made a lot of good friends being involved with ALS for 12 years now, and eventually those with the disease pass on and it really hits home.
 
"I'm so connected to the ALS community and I feel compelled to help find a cure," said St. Germain.
 
Initially, St. Germain connected with ALS simply straight from the heart. He wanted to help others without receiving a tangible benefit himself. Now, after watching so many friends pass and seeing families suffer his passion and commitment has become so much more. It's become his life's calling and an entire community counts on his leadership and support.
 
For his community service with ALS, St. Germain received a 2023 SFU Staff Achievement Award.