Kregel attended La Crosse State Teachers College—now known as University of Wisconsin–La Crosse—before transferring to Central College. At Central, he won four varsity letters in basketball and track, three in baseball, and two in football. In the football team, he was the regular quarterback for two seasons. Kregel graduated from Central in 1934 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in biology and physical education.[4][5]
Kregel dies on September 6, 1996, at his home in Americus.[6]