As a Sterling High School graduate of the class of 1992, Andy was awarded seven varsity letters for his athletic performance in high school. He earned three varsity letters in wrestling, two in football and two in track. He received All-State recognition in both football and wrestling. As a wrestler, Andy started to wrestle in junior high school where he went to the Wrestling Federation State Tournament. As a junior at Sterling High School he wrestled at 171 pounds and finished the season with a 28-5 record. As a senior, Andy wrestled as a heavyweight for the Golden Warriors. He placed second at the 1992 IHSA State Wrestling tournament with a record of 32-1. For both his junior and senior years he was NCIC Conference wrestling champion and was named to the All-Twin City wrestling teams. Andy was selected to the NCIC All-Conference football teams and named to the All-Twin City football teams both his junior and senior years. Andy was an outstanding football player, both offensively and defensively. His senior year he led the team in pass receptions with a 16.5 yards-per-catch. In 1991 was elected as MVP of the football team and was selected as captain for the Illinois Coaches Association All-Star Shrine Football game. Upon graduating form SHS, Andy received a scholarship and continued his education and football career at Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. He played four years of football at WIU and was selected to the 1992 All-Conference football team. As a member of the football team, he was awarded the "Service Player of the Year" and graduated in 1998. Andy returned to Sterling High School and assisted in coaching football and wrestling for two years. As a teacher and coach, Andy and now resides in Sterling, with his wife, Becki, and three children.