Eric LeGrand Brings His Message Of Hope To Holmdel Talk Nov. 2

HOLMDEL, NJ — Eric LeGrand will be speaking at the Holmdel Library Nov. 2, and the Holmdel Library Foundation invites the public to meet the former Rutgers University football star who has overcome a devastating injury to bring hope to others.

LeGrand will be discussing his book "Believe: My Faith and the Tackle That Changed My Life." The free event will take place at the Bell Works Theater (lower level) and attendees must register at this link.

The tackle he refers to is the one that happened while LeGrand was in his junior season in 2010, at a game where the Rutgers Scarlet Knights played Army. After a stellar college career as a defensive tackle, he suffered a spinal injury in the game that changed the trajectory of his life.

LeGrand's visit - at 6:30 p.m. - will be a special one, said Holmdel Committeeman Greg Buontempo, township liaison to the library.

"This is a story of someone who didn't give up," Buontempo said.

The Holmdel Library Foundation has set up a great evening for those attending. Each family registered will receive a free copy of LeGrand's book. There will be reception sponsored by CentralReach at Bell Works for guests, too.

And the event can also help the hungry in our area.

You can get a ticket for a photo with LeGrand if you bring a non-perishable food item to donate to Fulfill, the Monmouth and Ocean county-area food bank.

All this is supported by the Library Foundation, Buontempo said, created in 2017 when the library was able to relocate to the space in Bell Works.

He said the success of the Holmdel Library and Learning Center (part of the Monmouth County Library System) - and its location in the major retail and business hub of Bell Works - has created an important community service.

"In October, there were 4,000 visits to the library," Buontempo said.

And he says community events like this can bring even more attention to all the library services.

The library used to be in a small space in the basement of the town hall, he said. Ralph Zucker, the Bell Works owner, gave the township a 30-year free lease for the modern, colorful space the library now has, conveniently located near a major entrance to Bell Works.

The Holmdel Library Foundation was also created in 2017, and has helped the library in many ways, including recent author talks that are free to the public. It runs a benefit with the proceeds used to make events like this and certain purchases for the library possible, such as a printer and bookcases, Buontempo said.

"This all reduces costs to the taxpayer," he said.

And giving back seems to be the theme of the Nov. 2 evening.

Buontempo said LeGrand continues to help others as he rebuilds his own life. For example, recently LeGrand and Rutgers Coach Greg Schiano made a "significant contribution" to JFK Medical Center to support other families who have children facing medical issues he suffered.

And LeGrand's generosity is evident elsewhere, such as the Eric LeGrand Kentucky Straight Bourbon line he developed with business partner Brian Axelrod, and that is sold at Rutgers games. The business donates $5.20 of every case sold to the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, which is dedicated to curing spinal cord injury and improving the quality of life for individuals and families impacted by paralysis.

LeGrand is a Woodbridge native and he still lives in the Avenel section. He has developed a career as a mentor, motivational speaker, as well as a businessman. (He also just opened a coffeeshop by the Woodbridge train station last year.) LeGrand is a sports analyst for ESPN, Sirius, the Big Ten Network and Rutgers radio.

And for sports fans - or Rutgers alums - Buontempo said the upcoming event is a perfect time to show school spirit.

"You can get out your Rutgers jersey and get a picture with Eric," he said.

If you have more questions about the event, contact Holmdel Librarian Trish Shrodo at 732-946-4118 or pshrodo@monmouthcountylib.org.

Patch Local Editor Carly Baldwin contributed background to this report.