Team House dedication celebrates Green's legacy

Since the 1970s, the John Green Team House has served as the home for Rowan University’s athletic teams. Now, thanks to a $4.2 million renovation and expansion of the building on Carpenter Street, every team—and every student-athlete—has a space to call their own.

Officially opened on Sept. 16, 2013, the expansion added 11,000 square feet to the building and features state-of-the-art training facilities and new locker rooms for each team.

Named for the late John Green, a Rowan student-athlete who was seriously injured in the final football game of the 1977 season and who later succumbed to complications from his injury, the building has honored his memory for over 30 years. When the Green family learned about the expansion and renovation of the Team House, they were eager to support a permanent tribute for John.

“Many of the athletes here don’t have a real sense of the history of John,” noted John’s brother, Jeff Green. “So this is a great opportunity to tell [his] story and for us to see the success of Rowan.” 

Jeff and wife, Monica Green, pledged $25,000 to the Rowan University Foundation to create the John Green Memorial within the new structure. Featuring a commemorative plaque depicting John Green and honoring his life, the memorial prominently hangs in the lobby of the new Team House.

The Green family joined Rowan Athletics and friends on Sept. 27, 2013 to honor the legacy of the facility’s namesake. The current football team presented the Green family with a football featuring their signatures and Coach Richard Wackar spoke about John Green and his family’s generosity, kindness and enthusiasm for Rowan.

“John Green was the ultimate teammate,” Wackar stated. “He was just one of those guys that you wish you had 50 of.”

Known for his gregarious personality and inspiring nature, John Green was actively involved in school and community organizations while at the University. To honor his memory, the John Green Memorial Service Award was established in 1990. Awarded annually to an incoming freshman who possesses the traits John embraced, 23 recipients have benefited from the Green family’s generosity.

In April 2000, the Green family established the John Green Fellowship to recognize a student contributing to the football program. This award, already received by 21 students, is given annually to graduates or fifth year students who help the football program under the direction of the head coach.

Scholarship recipients of the John Green Memorial Service Award and the John Green Memorial Fellowship will be listed below the plaque in the lobby of the new Team House. 

Past athletes can also be a part of the new John Green Team House and help enhance the future of Rowan Athletics through the locker naming program. For $1,000, past and present Rowan student-athletes can purchase a commemorative plaque that will be affixed to the locker of their choosing. Featuring the name, sport, and years played, the plaques will honor student-athletes throughout the history of Rowan Athletics and help enhance the future of Rowan Athletics.