On the court, Sam Griesel can be unstoppable. But in late 2021, while the Lincoln native was still playing for North Dakota State, an experience off the court ripped away that sense of invincibility.
“I ended up on the ground, in and out of consciousness, and threw up a little more than half my blood,” Griesel said.
It was a bleeding stomach ulcer that sent him to the ER and required him to get a blood transfusion. He said it changed his outlook on life.
“That experience kind of made me enjoy all the little things of life, with valuing relationships,” Griesel said.
And it inspired the home-town basketball star to give back to the community by hosting a blood drive at Memorial Stadium on Friday. The event brought in 78 units of blood during a time of urgent need.
“The awareness that he is bringing for this cause is very commendable,” said head coach Fred Hoiberg. “Sam continues to do things that make everybody around him and everybody in this state, everybody that’s affiliated with this University, proud to be a Husker.”
For many donors and volunteers, Griesel’s presence at the blood drive made their efforts more meaningful.
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