Greg Olson, who scored his first touchdown as a Brave in 1970 and spent the remainder of his life dedicated to Orr’s football team, was honored Wednesday at a pregame ceremony that named the football field after him.

Joel Astleford gave a brief overview of Olson’s football career, noting that Greg arrived in Orr in 1962 and by the end of his varsity football career was averaging three to four touchdowns a game.

Olson continued his involvement in football, coaching his sons Aaron and Adam. Amy, the daughter of Maxine and Greg, was a cheerleader for the team. Olson continued to stay involved with the football team, remaining active as a coach and spending countless hours helping prepare the field for games.

Braves Coach John Jirik said naming the playing field after Olson was a fitting tribute. “This field was his heart and soul,” said Jirik. “He was a great coach and a better friend and I miss him dearly.”

The 52-year-old Olson died Dec. 22, 2008, as the result of a tragic accident. He served as an assistant football coach for the Braves for 25 years, 18 of them alongside John Jirik, dean of students at the Orr School.

Greg’s large size made him an imposing figure, Jirik acknowledged in an earlier interview, but anyone who knew Greg realized that he was a gentle soul.

“His nickname was T-Bear because he was built like a bear, but had a soft heart,” Jirik said. “Teddy Bear wasn’t much of a football name, so we shortened it to T-Bear.”

Wednesday’s ceremony concluded with Olson’s family gathering on the football field where they were presented with Braves shirts by football team members and Coach Jirik. They were later joined on the field by those who had played Braves football with or for Olson.

In addition, Orr seniors have dedicated the 2010 year book to the memory of Coach Greg Olson and a golf scramble held in his memory in September raised just over $13,000 for the Hunt of a Lifetime Foundation. Hunt of a Lifetime is a nonprofit organization that grants hunting and fishing adventures to children who have been diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses.

Rick Scheuring said the foundation was a perfect match of a charity for Olson, who loved both the outdoors and youth.

In addition to his wife of 34 years, Maxine, he is survived by two sons, Aaron and Adam, both of Orr; a daughter, Jamie (Derek) Hell of International Falls; his parents, Clarence “Ike” and Margie Olson of Orr; a brother, Tim (Lori) Olson of Orr; and four grandchildren, Autymn, Tori, Ian and Tucker. Also surviving are his father- and mother-in-law, Harold and Caroline Helgeson of Ray; a sister-in-law, Christine (Wayne) Swenson of Littlefork; a brother-in-law, Russell (Julie) Helgeson of Ray; five nieces and nephews, Jodie (Scott) Lox, Brock Olson, Dustin and Wyatt Helgeson and Sara Swenson, along with many, many friends.