Known to many as ‘Norrie’, Mr. Steve Norris, the Darien Girls Track and Cross Country Coach, is a mentor known and beloved by many at Darien High School. You may see him walking or even running around the school’s trails or heard of his endless fun facts – especially those about turtles, his favorite animal. Norrie’s unique sense of humor and devotion to the program sets him apart from an average coach.
Norrie has coached cross country, indoor track, and outdoor track at DHS for the past 48 years, since 1976. He was Assistant Coach for the boys’ track team when he first began and the next season he became Head Coach of the girls team when the role needed to be filled and has remained the coach ever since. He is very proud of the many accomplishments of the team as well as individual runners over the past many years.
Norrie is very proud of the program he has built. His first cross country girls’ season, he coached eight runners while this previous 2024 season, there were around ninety runners on the team. Norrie has created a positive environment and welcomes all participants, ranging from those who have never run before to athletes working to run at the collegiate level.
One specific achievement Norrie mentioned is being the only girls’ coach in Connecticut that has won the State Open Championships in three sports: Cross Country, Indoor, and Outdoor Track.
Norrie was a very successful young runner; he ran track and cross country at New Canaan High School as well as all four years at the collegiate level at DePauw University. He found his spark for coaching during his high school years when he recognized and was frustrated with the way his coach at the time entered people in events they shouldn’t have been in. He figured he could do a better job and hoped someday he would have the opportunity to help other runners succeed.
When asked what his favorite aspect of coaching is, Norrie answered,“I like helping athletes figure out their paths, whether that means practicing or competing. I enjoy when somebody figures out what they’re meant to be doing without my telling them”. He is excited to watch more of his athletes improve and grow as runners and to see how the team performs in the upcoming track seasons.
When Cross Country and Indoor Track senior Captain Ali Meyers was asked what sets Norrie apart from other coaches, she replied, “One thing would definitely be his dedication to all of the athletes. He remembers all times, events, and results of everyone he has coached – even from 40 years ago – which I think is pretty special.”
As the longest tenured coach here at DHS, Norrie’s true dedication and passion for his job has accounted for the positive and successful environment that is the girls’ Cross Country and Track teams.
