William "Bill" Norris - 2001 Athlete

Bill Norris, more familiarly known to friends as “Hopi,” took his took his Anderson University athletic experience to California to coach for more than 32 years at the high school level after graduation in 1960.

Norris came to AU from Sand Springs, Okla., and became a popular Raven athlete in both football and baseball. In football, he was a four-year starter, three-time All-Conference selection (1957-59) and All-American in 1959. He was named team MVP in 1957. In baseball, he was a four-year starter at first base and in the outfield, where he led the team in hitting in 1958.

Off the field, Norris was elected to the Student Council, Men’s Senate and president of Sachem Club. He was also involved in Christianity-in-Action and the “A” Club. After his freshman year, he went to the South Pacific as a chaplain’s aide during the testing of the H-bomb series before returning to complete his athletic and degree requirements.

As a coach, he spent one year in Anderson before going to California to coach football for 11 years, including a pair of undefeated teams. He also coached baseball and boys and girls basketball at the high school level.

He resides in Fresno, Calif., where he is on the board and a Sunday school teacher at the First Church of God. He has also been an interim pastor in Madera, Calif., and works with the Gideons.

Anderson University is proud to name Cleo William Norris to the Athletic Hall of Fame.