Campbellsville University will induct former Apollo High School football standout Gregory “Boomer” Fountain into its Athletics Hall of Fame on September 28. Fountain is widely considered one of the best running backs in the program’s history and holds several records.
“It’s an honor and a blessing … God reveals things when it’s time,” he said. “I’ve had to work for anything I wanted — nothing was handed to me, but that grit mentality has allowed me to be successful.”
Former Apollo Head Coach Dan Gooch instilled those values into Fountain, and they’ve guided Fountain from his days as a high school athlete to his current role as a special education teacher and coach.
Fountain was inducted into Apollo’s Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017. He credits Gooch for molding him into the disciplined player he became.
During his varsity seasons in 2002 and 2003, Apollo made the playoffs and was district runner-up both times. He earned multiple honors, including All-State honorable mention, All-Area, and All-District. He and his teammate William Carter were a two-headed monster at running back, touting over 1,000 yards a piece in a single season.
Fountain continued his football career at Campbellsville University, where he redshirted as a freshman and played fullback for 2 years before switching to tailback.
Numerous accolades marked his college career: he left in 2008 as the all-time leader in touchdowns (47), total offense (4,419 yards), and scoring (284 points). He also set records for rushing yards (4,419), rushing attempts (711), and rushing touchdowns (46). His standout seasons in 2007 and 2008 earned him honorable mention and first-team All-American honors, respectively.
“I was blessed to be around people who really pushed me,” he said. “On my first night in Campbellsville, I grabbed a marketing program from my visit and scrolled through it from front to back. I knew I wanted to go there, and I didn’t want to go to be average. I wanted to go there to do great things.”
Fountain’s journey took him overseas to play for the Seinäjoki Crocodiles in Finland from 2010 to 2012. He was a two-time Player of the Year, amassing more than 2,500 yards and 35 touchdowns in one season.
“Being there was a humbling experience,” Fountain said. “I had to grow up and take responsibility for my craft.”
After his playing career, Fountain returned home during offseasons to coach youth football. He was an instructional assistant at Burns for 5 years before coaching varsity running backs at Apollo and Owensboro high schools. Now, he is a special education teacher, running the PASS program at OHS and continuing to coach.
“Football saved my life,” he said. “I never thought I would make it professionally, and I definitely never dreamed of being in education. But it’s been a blessing to me because I’m still able to use sports, and my love of the game inside and outside the classroom, treating all my students like we’re on the same team.”
On September 28, Fountain will be honored during a game against Roosevelt. The Hall of Fame ceremony will start at 11:45 a.m. at the stadium.
“Everyone dreams of the NFL,” Fountain said. “I went NAIA, and now I’m a Hall of Famer. They can’t take that away. I hope other kids will see this and say, ‘Hey, I can do this too.’ Football helps me help others, and that’s the ultimate victory.”
