PV title-winning QB Green, 38, dies

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By Craig DeVrieze | Friday, June 06, 2008 |

Andy Green established himself as a leader of men before he was old enough to drive.

“He brought the best out of people,” former Pleasant Valley High School football coach Ed Morrissey said of Green, who as a sophomore quarterbacked the 1985 Spartans to the Class 3A state title. “He just got it. He just had it.”

Green, 38, died last week in Edina, Minn., after a yearlong fight with non-Hodgkins Lynphoma.

He is survived by his wife, Kris; two sons, Ben and Lucas; his mother and father back home in Bettendorf, Fred and Maxine Green; and by three older brothers, J.F., Dan and Steve.

In addition to being a three-year starter at quarterback for Morrissey, Green was a three-sport star at Pleasant Valley, and helped the Spartans to fourth place in the 3A state basketball tournament as a senior in 1988.

Green also was a standout golfer and went on to captain the golf team at Dartmouth University, where he also played football as a freshman.

Green was the salutatorian of the Class of 1988, whose valedictorian, Christine Thorburn, like Green, went on to become a doctor. Thorburn also competed on the 2004 U.S. Olympic cycling team, finishing fourth in the time trial, and is a contender to vie in this year’s Beijing Olympics.

Green settled down near Minneapolis, where he established a family practice after graduating from the Dartmouth Medical School and completing his residency.

Morrisey said he knew early on that Green was destined for success.

“He was a tremendous kid, no doubt about it,’’ said the coach. “Anything he did, he was going to do well.’’

But, Morrisey said, “He was very humble. He was one of the most humble kids I have ever been around.”

Morrissey said he had not seen Green in recent months, but said he had exchanged letters with his former field leader as Green battled cancer.

“It was just a shame and a long journey,’’ Morrissey said of a fight Green detailed by keeping a journal.

Green made all-state in football as a senior and, for several years, held Iowa’s all-class record for passing yards in a state championship game.

“He was a really smart player, very cerebral,’’ Morrissey said. “He had a lot of confidence in himself.

“He was a tremendous human being, more than anything else,’’ the coach added. “He was an exceptional guy.’’

Craig DeVrieze can be contacted at (563) 333-2610 or cdevrieze@qctimes.com.