MONSTER FINISH

Morgan Kane earned his degree online while driving Grave Digger

Published Dec 05, 2019 by

Crystal Baity

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The Kane family, from left, Morgan, Everleigh and Kayla. (Contributed photo)

Morgan Kane has performed in 18 countries across five continents driving Grave Digger, an off-road, competitive racing monster truck with a huge fan base.

When Kane’s not driving, he works with NBC Sports as an expert analyst for Monster Jam. He and his wife, Kayla, an East Carolina University alumna, also are parents to Everleigh Mae, who is almost 2 years old.

Kane will earn another title on Dec. 13: ECU graduate.

“Keeping up with the schoolwork has been tough with all the traveling but doing my best to manage my time has been the greatest learning experience,” said Kane, who has pursued his bachelor’s degree in communication online while working full time.

Kane was recruited out of Currituck County High school to play soccer at Campbell University, but said he struggled to balance the workload of a Division I student-athlete. He transferred to Cape Fear Community College, where he played soccer and learned how to be a great student.

But he left school in 2010 to pursue a dream job. He said he learned a lot about manual labor and loyalty while working under Steve Sims, owner of Custom Stone Company in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After 2 1/2 years, he was offered a job as a driver and mechanic with Feld Entertainment, Monster Jam’s parent company. Since July 2012, he has represented four Feld brands (out of more than 60) before landing a seat as a Grave Digger driver in 2016.

Kane stands with a Pirate skull and crossbones flag in front of Grave Digger. (Photo contributed by Feld Entertainment)

“Grave Digger has always meant family to me,” said Kane, who was born and raised in Currituck, near the Grave Digger shop where he spent a lot of time growing up. “This is a very unique profession and I try to embrace every moment. Traveling around the world to perform, I use my platform to create memorable family moments and be a role model for millions.”

Kane said he decided to finish his degree at ECU because of its online program, enrolling in spring 2017. Now he will be a Pirate graduate like his father and wife.

“After graduation, I plan to focus more time with family and increase my value as an employee with Feld,” Kane said.

Kayla, who earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy at ECU, is a director with Southeastern Therapy for Kids in Richmond, Virginia. The family lives in Moseley, Virginia.

“I haven’t had much opportunity to visit Greenville since my wife’s graduation in 2015,” said Morgan, adding one of their favorite places was the greenway. “Although I haven’t been back in a while, ECU will always be a special place for my family.”

Morgan Kane is the son of Robert Kane of Grandy and Susie Sullivan of Jarvisburg.