The Collegian

Issue date: 11/5/09 Section: News

Don Tocco with student competitors at the challenge last Friday. junior Jon Gregg, to the left of and behind Tocco, won the challenge and secured $15,000 for the college and $10,000 for Delta Tau Delta fraternity.

For only the fourth time ever, a Hillsdale College student beat Don Tocco at his own challenge.

Junior Jon Gregg, member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, competed against five other athletes and the 62-year-old businessman to win $10,000 for his fraternity.

The clincher? An hour-long chess game Saturday.

Tocco and Gregg played in front of an audience of about 25. Gregg said he was grateful for the support of his friends, but playing for an audience had a downside, too.

"It was bad when you made a move, and you heard whispering," he said, laughing.

His second time competing in the challenge, Gregg said what might have begun as an excuse to get out of the baseball team's fundraising trip, turned into a chance to get to know and appreciate Tocco.

"He's a good chess player and a good person," Gregg said. "His heart is definitely in the right place."

Delta Tau Delta members are thrilled by Gregg's performance.

"I was very happy to see Jon do so well," senior and president of Delta Tau Delta, Trevor Shunk said. "It was good to see him come back out and win it."

Senior Derek Top, a member of the winning fraternity, agreed.

"We're really proud of him," he said. "It was a huge comeback."

Gregg said he was disappointed in his performance the first time he competed, in spring 2008. This year he wanted to do better.

"I didn't want to embarrass myself," Gregg said, laughing. "It was nice to come through this year."

The executive board of the fraternity met Sunday to figure out how they would use the money.

"The first thing we're going to do is put it in the bank and think carefully about what we want to do with it," Shunk said.

Shunk said outstanding fraternity expenses will be a priority, as will honoring Gregg.

One suggestion? Naming him "Sir Jon Gregg."
Gregg said more than the glory of the purple and gold, he valued learning from Tocco himself.

"The thing I took away the most was Mr. Tocco," Gregg said. "To have a bunch of money but still caring about people, about the college. It's a good example, to know there are people who are like that."

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