After Greyhound Channel sponsored a stakes race at the National Greyhound Association’s (NGA) Spring Nationals, a letter of thanks was received from the owner / breeder of the winning dog. The signator was a well-respected, second generation dog man and the son of legendary Wayne Strong. Strong Sr.’s past charges includes Hall of Famers Miss Gorgeous, Presentation, and Rooster Cogburn, to name a few. Although David Strong now breeds and sells greyhounds, it wasn’t always this way.
David was born in Norfolk, Nebraska, but landed in Abilene, Kansas, to start third grade. The family settled a farm where David developed a vigorous work ethic learning that there is no clock for dog men. There, Strong Sr. established Wayne Strong Kennel, and mother Janet handled all things domestic including David, his brother and four sisters. She continues a thirty year career at the local elementary school serving special needs students.
David played football and wrestled before graduating from Abilene High School in 1980. After completing construction trade school and studying wind energy at Cloud Community College, he worked two years for Upwind Solutions. However, he eventually returned to greyhound racing because of his love of canine athletes and gambling. Perhaps it was due to genetics as he ran Sr.’s kennel full time, charged with handling the likes of Rooster’s Spur, another Hall of Famer. Under David’s care, the white and red brindle male scored over $162,000.00, spanning a ninety four starts career. Eventually, he established Blue Sky Kennel. He recalled that his favorite track to run was the now defunct Multnomah Greyhound Park in Wood Village, Oregon, because the staff was easy going and pleasant.
In 2003, David put his construction skills to good use, building his farm including a home in Solomon, Kansas. He keeps only five or six broods and his best litter picks compete and sell at Nationals while the rest are sold privately. He also owns and operates Kansas Transportation Company, a hauling business. Wife Marcie is employed at the same school as his mother. Sons Andrew and Carson, ages 28 and 26 years old respectively, are FedEx employees. For a nominal fee, David transports retired racers, broods, and studs to select adoption groups in the states and Canada for permanent placement because it’s the right thing to do.
With his down time, whenever that happens, he watches and pulls for the NFL Seattle Seahawks and his native state’s Big 10 Conference Nebraska Cornhuskers. Mark Twain once said, “Golf is a good walk spoiled”, but not for David who’s out on the course two or three times a week during the summer happy to score an eighty three or eighty four. Right now he’s pulling for Kansas native and monster driver Gary Woodland ranked 12th in the world to make the cut at the British Open. But what makes him most happy is the birth of his first grandchild, Kenley, born June 2nd of this year … Greyhound Channel hopes she grows up to carry the greyhound torch for a third generation of Strongs. Watch for her.
We would like to thank David Strong for taking a moment to speak with us about greyhound racing and his experience in the industry. One of our main goals is to promote the greyhound industry. Do you work in it or know someone who does? Would you be interested in being featured in our blog? Contact us at custserv@greyhoundchannel.com.
