Fun Fact Friday: Jerry Travelstead

Jerry Travelstead
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

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I've met a lot of great people through Stride Pro Wrestling. One of them is Jerry "T-Dog" Travelstead. He's an educator turned pro wrestler who has achieved great success inside and outside the ring. Jerry is the first ever Stride Pro Wrestling Legacy Champion, winning the company's first ladder match. It was a grueling contest and a well-deserved honor for T-Dog. This week I wanted to learn more about Jerry, so here are some fun facts about him.

1. On most Sundays, you'll find Jerry behind the pulpit. He serves as a supply preacher. That means he's a substitute preacher when a church either doesn't have a preacher or their's is on vacation. 

2. He became the youngest school superintendent in the state of Illinois in 2004. Jerry was 25 at the time. He's still serving as both the principal and superintendent at Community Consolidated 204 in Pinckneyville.

3. While in college Jerry had a 74-yard punt. But he quit school mid-season and there's no record of it. He then attended Rend Lake College and paid for school on his own. While at RLC he earned a scholarship to SIU and got two Masters' degrees. 

Winner
Courtesy: Steve Belcher

Jerry admits he's made a lot of mistakes in his life, but he's always learned from them. He has been blessed with a pretty interesting life and has the attitude of "Why not?" when it comes to dealing with situations. His favorite bible verse is Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. The phrase he truly lives by and believes in is "Anything worth doing is worth doing well."

That sums up Jerry. He does everything with 110%. I'm glad to know him and that he's a regular part of Stride Pro Wrestling. I'm looking forward to seeing what 2018 holds for him. Be sure to check out Stride Pro Wrestling's return on Saturday, Jan. 13 at the Illinois Star Centre Mall in Marion.

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