Long-Time Wheaton Resident, HOFer Jeff Norris Honored This Monday

When the phone call came through, it was the perfect bait for a guy like Jeff Norris, long-time Wheaton resident.

“Do I know any guards who are worthy of the hall of fame?” the committee member asked Norris from the other end of the line.

“Yea, I can name some for you,” answered Norris.

The muffled laughter on the other end of the conference phone speaker was lost on Norris, who began rattling off names of Catholic League guards he shared elbows with in the early 1970s as an Oak Park Fenwick Friar captain and floor leader.

Finally: “Jeff, it’s you we want for the Hall of Fame, it’s you…”

Norris choked up, but not for himself, but rather, familiarity with two already called to the hall – his father and his brother – the later being inducted with Norris this spring at a banquet set for kings.

“I was still choked up and then my mind flashed back to all my teammates and all the great guys I got to play with,” said Norris over lunch, his blue eyes welling up.

Norris will be recognized publicly Monday night when his college alma mater Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota visits Wheaton College for a 7 p.m. tipoff.

All Chicago-area Saint Mary’s alumni are welcome to a 5 p.m. pre-game gathering to celebrate with Norris before the Wheaton College contest at Emmett's Brewing Company, located at 121 Front Street, Wheaton, IL.

The SMU Cardinals have started the season 6-1 (3-1 in conference), including their most recent wins against Macalester and Martin Luther. Tournament host Wheaton College is 8-2.

“Jeff Norris is only the fourth Fenwick player to be chosen for this Hall of Fame and it’s well deserved,” said Dr. Tim Walsh, Norris’ teammate at Fenwick and a Saint Mary’s graduate.

Still fit at age 66, Norris looks as if he could slip into his old Saint Mary’s red/white jersey and even lace up a pair of red Converse All-Stars to hit the hardwood with today’s cagers.

Cage play, circa 1910, might have been in order given the ferocious nature of Norris’ playing style both for Fenwick’s perennial Lightweight champs and for the Heavies squad in 1972.

Scoring numbers are skewed somewhat because there was no three-point circle and a three-point play was earned the hard way – get fouled one a field goal and complete the free throw. That said, Norris led the Catholic League in scoring, averaging 25 points per game.

Norris was named MVP of the highly entertaining, fast paced Fenwick Lightweight Basketball Tournament in 1971. (Lightweight basketball ended in 1973 when the Catholic League entered the IHSA.) Lightweight ball, which for most of its run included the Chicago Public League, ran from 1929 to 1973; Norris was the only two-time MVP in tournament history.

Norris moved up to Heavyweight ball after the Christmas tournament and was not eligible to return to the Lights. His teammates went on to defend their Norris-led Catholic League crown, beating an overmatched Leo squad 72-57.

Wounded Knee

Born to coach, Norris turned an injury in college into opportunity and began his coaching tenure during his sophomore year of college, serving as head coach of Saint Mary’s men’s junior varsity team.

Drawing inspiration from his favorite book, “Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee” Norris channeled his grief of a “promising season lost” into teaching others how to play the game right.

Norris even shared Inside Basketball “talk chalk” sessions with head varsity coach Bill Stier, who arrived at Saint Mary’s College in Winona, MN as more Professor Harold Hill than Johnny “They Call Me Coach” Wooden.

Norris’ early coaching served him well as he returned triumphantly to the team for his junior and senior seasons. When the next head coach, legendary Leo and Saint Mary’s star Pat Costello fell ill before a game against Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, Norris took control of the team on the floor, on the bench and in the huddle.

Norris coached in Illinois for 45 years, using his extensive understanding of the game to instruct women and men’s teams both in high school and college competition. Norris coached at five high schools and five colleges and proved successful at every program.

Norris will forever be remembered as a player with an uncanny way of getting to the glass and for a deadly jump shot as he enters the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame honoring players, but, he, personally will be recalling his love of his father, his brothers and all the teammates long scattered to all points on the map but still always in Norris’ mind’s eye and his heart.

The Hall Welcomes Mr. Jeff Norris.

Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota plays at Wheaton College at 7 p.m. A reception begins at 5 for Saint Mary’s alums and "Fenwick Friends of Jeff Norris" at Emmett's Brewing Company, located at 121 Front Street, Wheaton, IL.

Wheaton College’s King Arena on Wheaton College Campus is located at 601 Centennial Dr., Wheaton). Tickets can be purchased at door.