Hall of Fame
A lifelong native of Binghamton, Jim Norris served the University in several capacities with distinction during his 20+ year tenure. Most notably, he was men's basketball coach and later director of athletics.
After serving New York State in roles with the City of Binghamton and Broome County, Norris came to the University in 1991 as assistant men's basketball coach. Alongside head coach Dick Baldwin, Norris helped orchestrate the three most successful seasons in the program's Division III history, highlighted by a 23-7 campaign in 1993-94.
Norris took over the reigns in 1996 and led the program through its transition to NCAA Division II. His 1997-98 squad won 17 games and advanced to the ECAC championship game. He transitioned to senior management in 2000, beginning a decade of administrative oversight of BU's entire 19-sport athletics program. A highly-organized, detail-driven administrator with a natural feel for athletics, Norris earned a promotion to senior associate director of athletics in 2008.
In September 2009 he was promoted to director of athletics and served in that role for two years until retiring in 2011. During his senior-level leadership, Norris played a key role in securing and planning numerous major facility upgrades, including the Events Center, the Bearcats Sports Complex for soccer and lacrosse, the new baseball and softball stadiums and tennis facility.
Norris also distinguished himself as a collaborator across campus and within the America East Conference, where his committee work and vision drew high praise. True to his local roots, Norris coached and mentored untold numbers of area youths and his civic engagement was widespread. He received the Binghamton-Vestal Sertoma Club "Service to Mankind Award" in 2001.
