Norman Greene

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Norman Greene
Personal information
BornJuly 12, 1973
Killeen, Texas
DiedJanuary 26, 2022
Columbia, South Carolina
Resting placeSumter, South Carolina
EducationUniversity of South Carolina
Alma materSumter High School
Sport
SportAmerican College Football, track and field
Positiondefensive back, sprint (running)
University teamSouth Carolina Gamecocks football

Norman Christopher Greene (July 12, 1973 – January 26, 2022) was an American athlete notable for his achievements in collegiate football and high school track and field. Born in Fort Hood, Texas, Greene excelled in both sports during his formative years, eventually becoming a starting free safety for the South Carolina Gamecocks football team while maintaining his reputation in track and field.[1] In 1991, Greene was the top-rated high school hurdler in the nation, according to Track and Field News.[2]

Early life and education[edit]

Greene was one of four children born to Geneva H. Greene and the late Staff Sgt. Bobby G. Greene. He attended Sumter High School, graduating as part of the Class of 1991.

Greene's athletic prowess became evident during his high school years, where he was a starting defensive back for the football team and earned recognition as a member of the 1990 Shrine Bowl team.[3] During that week leading up to the game in Charlotte, NC, Greene was also voted defensive unit captain by his teammates.[4] As a high school junior, he was also named The Sumter Item's high school football "Player of the Year" in 1990.[5] As a senior, Greene had 108 tackles and one interception and helped his team win the South Carolina High School state AAAA football championship.[6] He was also responsible for secondary calls for the school's defensive team.[7] He was named to the All-Southern team by the Orlando Sentinel.[8] He was named in the Top 100 by the High School Sports Report and in the Top 12 by South Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association.[9]

Track and field achievements[edit]

Greene garnered acclaim for his accomplishments in track and field at Sumter High School, securing consecutive state titles including 1988[10] and 1991[11] in both the 110 meter high hurdles & 300 meter intermediate hurdles. Greene was also a member of three state champion relay teams.[12] His senior season saw him set the national record in the 110 high hurdles.[13] Greene was named 1991 Male Athlete of the Year by Sumter School District 17.[14] In recognition of his athletic achievements, Greene was inducted into both the Sumter Sports Hall of Fame and the Sumter High Athletic Hall of Fame.[5]

Track Achievements
Year Event Time Location Place
1989 110HH 15:04 Sumter - Coach's Classic[15] 1st
300IH 41.8 Sumter - Coach's Classic 1st
1991 110HH 13.65* 4A SC State High School Championship[13] 1st
110HH 13.57 1st
110HH 13.52* Orlando, FL -Orlando Sentinel Golden South Classic (1991)[16][13] 1st
110HH 13.82 Los Angeles - National Scholastic Outdoor[6] 1st
110HH Chicago - Keebler Invitational
110HH Minnesota - TAC Junior National Championship
55H 7.51 Syracuse - National High School Indoor Championships 6th

In the finals of the 1991 National High School Indoor Championships, after coming in first during the qualifiers, Greene cut his leg on the hurdle and came in sixth place overall.[17]

Collegiate career[edit]

In February 1991, Greene signed his letter of intent to continue his athletic endeavors at the University of South Carolina, where he continued to excel in football as a starting free safety for the Gamecocks.[18]

Greene was forced to start as a true freshman when senior Leon Harris was dismissed from the team, prior to the start of the season.[19] Greene scored his first touchdown as a defender in his first game against the Duke Blue Devils.[20]

Greene suffered a concussion while playing the free safety position.[21]

Career and personal life[edit]

Beyond athletics, Greene served as an assistant coach for Spring Valley High School's football team, was employed at Blue Fin Restaurant in Columbia at the time of his passing.[22]

Greene died on January 26, 2022, in Columbia, South Carolina.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "SHS hurdler attracts attention". The Item. 1990-04-01. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  2. ^ "Sumter begins state title defense". The Item. 1991-05-02. p. 27. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  3. ^ "Greene not bored on defense". The Item. 1990-12-09. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  4. ^ "Shine Bowl benefits injured children". The Item. 1990-12-09. p. 19. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  5. ^ a b McLendon, Kevin (December 9, 1990). "23 Named to Item All Area Team". newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b "The time of his life". The Item. 1991-06-16. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  7. ^ "Sumter's Greene isn't nice on the field". The Item. 1990-10-29. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  8. ^ "Sumter's Greene, Brooks sign with South Carolina". The Item. 1991-02-06. p. 9. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  9. ^ "Sumter's Lewis, 5 area football players honored". The Item. 1991-02-12. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  10. ^ "Sumter trail team remains undefeated". The Item. 1988-04-21. p. 34. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  11. ^ "Gamecocks breeze to state track title". The Item. 1990-05-18. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  12. ^ "Sumter wins Lower State". The Item. 1991-05-12. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  13. ^ a b c "South Carolina track and field boys all-time list". SCRUNNERS.COM. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  14. ^ "Sumter School District 17 Salute to Students". The Item. 1991-06-23. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  15. ^ "Qualifers set for Classic". The Item. 1989-03-25. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  16. ^ "Green places 1st in Golden South". The Item. 1991-05-27. p. 11. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  17. ^ "Gamecocks' Greene 6th in national meet". The Item. 1991-03-11. p. 15. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  18. ^ "Bennett, Williamson USC's top recruits". The Item. 1991-02-07. p. 18. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  19. ^ "USC's Woods hoped to bring Greene along more slowly". The Item. 1991-10-11. p. 13. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  20. ^ "Greene scores in debut". The Item. 1991-09-09. p. 14. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  21. ^ "Wolfpack jumped out to early lead". The Item. 1991-11-03. p. 18. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
  22. ^ "NORMAN CHRISTOPHER GREENE". The Sumter Item. 2022-02-02. Retrieved 2024-05-09.
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