‘Voice of the Camels’ Rose did more than announce

ALEXANDRIA – Visitors to home football games hosted by Campbell County High School knew his voice.

Greg Rose’s enthusiastic calls from the press box of big plays by his Camels were only surpassed by his enthusiastic actions to support the community in general. His memorable “That’s another Campbell County FIRST DOWNNNN!” only scratched the surface.

“He made every play special,” Campbell County head football coach Steve Lickert said. “My personal favorite is every Friday night getting a text of the scoreboard. He’d say ‘Good job, coach. Congratulations!’ He’d greet me with a Gatorade when I walk off the field. When I first got here, he went out of his way to make me feel welcome. When he said if there’s anything I can do for you, let me know, he would actually do that.”

Rose, an Alexandria resident, died April 25 and was laid to rest April 30. Rose, 52, was a 1979 graduate of Campbell County High School and a 1983 grad of Northern Kentucky University.

He came back to his alma mater to not only be the PA voice, but work with area sports behind the scenes. He coached several youth sports including AAU basketball. He was an active church member who went to mission trips in Zimbabwe.

“He was such a valuable asset to the high school and to Campbell County athletics,” said athletic director Steve Hensley. “He was such a great person, infectious smile. Friday nights won’t be the same without him.”

A former Camel running back himself, Rose had two sons play the position at CCHS in recent years, Grant and Zach. He also had two daughters with his wife of 30 years, Sherri (True) Rose - Danielle (Rose) Crafton and Haylee Rose.

“He was just a guy that made Friday night an event in Alexandria. He did all the behind-the-scenes stuff, from getting the kid who’s doing the coin toss from the elementary school to making sure he knew how to say every kid’s name,” Lickert said. “He worked behind the scenes for everything. He was a great man and a great spokesman for the Campbell County community.”

Hensley said he will be tough to replace and football games will be different.

“His heart was all about the kids at Campbell County,” Hensley said. “What I’ll remember is how much he loved this community and how much this community loved him.”

Follow James Weber on Twitter, @RecorderWeber