Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1260221
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM JUNE 17-23, 2020 UCW 15 HIGH SCHOOL HIGHLIGHTS Jason Norton was remembered by his peers as someone who was easy to talk with, who wanted to win, but above all did everything for the benefit of the athletes at his school. Norton, 47, who served as athle- tic director at Pine Forest since 2015, after an outstanding career as both an athlete and coach in his native Richmond County, died earlier this month after a lengthy battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife, Lauren and sons Alex, Kevin and Jase. Norton was an all-American placekicker at Catawba College, while playing for two state championship football teams at Richmond Senior and coaching a third. He joined the staff at Pine Forest as athletic director in 2015, continuing to work there until the disease for- ced him to step down after the 2019 school year. "He was very genuine,'' said Pine Forest principal David Culbreth. "When he came to Cumberland County, he was excited to have the opportunity to be an admi- nistrator and an athletic director. It made everything easier with the enthusiasm and energy he brought.'' "I don't think you could have met a nicer, kinder person than Jason,'' said Vernon Aldridge, student activities director for the Cumberland County Schools. "His ability to build relationships and be a good listener is what drew people to him.'' Chad Barbour was the athletic director at South View when he first crossed paths with Norton and they became close friends. Barbour is now principal at Cumberland Polytechnic High School. "He wanted the whole program to be successful and he wanted to get the best people in the positions he had,'' Barbour said. "He had high expectations for the way students were supposed to conduct themselves.'' One of Norton's closest friends was David May, who coached with him at Hamlet Junior High School and was on the coaching staff at Pine Forest when Norton became athletic director. "He's worn so many hats in his life, coaching, tea- ching and being a father and a husband,'' May said. "I can't tell you how many people he's taken to football camps all over the country with his boys that wouldn't have had the opportunity to go. "I know he'd be looking down right now amazed at all the love and support he's receiving, how highly people thought of him. He wasn't a vain type of guy who looked for praise.'' During his battle with cancer, Norton received three major awards, including the Braveheart Award from the N.C. Athletic Directors Association, the Tony Simeon Courage Award from the N.C. High School Athletic Association and most recently the Stuart Scott Courage Award from HighSchoolOT.com. Friends mourn passing of Pine Forest's Norton by EARL VAUGHAN JR. Jason Norton EARL VAUGHAN JR., Sports Editor. COMMENTS? EarlUCWSports@gmail. com. 910-364-6638. Athletes and coaches from the Cumberland County Schools will be allowed to begin off-season workouts effective Monday, July 6. "We look forward to get- ting our student-athletes back on campus safely,'' said county student activities director Vernon Aldridge in a press release last week. "The July 6 date is subject to change if state and local directives deem it necessa- ry.'' The decision was made following the announcement by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association that it was lifting the statewide hold on summer workout sessions and allowing schools to resume on June 15. However, the NCHSAA said it would be the right of each school system to announce if it would open June 15th date or wait until later. Aldridge said workouts in the county will be held under guidelines released by the NCHSAA, as well as additional guidance from the Department of Health and Human Services. In the weeks prior to July 6, Aldridge said county schools will make sure they have the supplies and equipment required to insure safe practices, along with instruction for athletic staff on following the prescribed procedures. By returning July 6, Cumberland County will miss the NCHSAA dead period normally held the week of July 4. A second dead period in July, the week of the annual East-West All-Star games, has been waived as the games and North Carolina Coaches Association Clinic this year have been canceled. Athletes and parents must complete registration forms online using the "Final Forms" link that can be found on each school's website in order for athletes to participate in summer workouts. Any student with an athletic physical performed on or after March 1, 2019, will be considered eligi- ble for 2020-21. Students who had a physical ear- lier than that date will be required to get a new one before attending workouts. Assuming there are no other changes to the calendar, the July 6 date will give Cumberland County athletes four weeks of summer workouts before the official start of fall practice, which is still scheduled for Aug. 1. Cumberland County athletes cleared for July 6 return by EARL VAUGHAN JR. Cumberland County Schools will be allowed to begin off-season workouts effective Monday, July 6. Attention Students: Let Your Voice Be Heard Get published in our award-winning community newspaper Up & Coming Weekly Send in your feature articles, editorials, short stories, movie and music reviews or original poetry and artwork to: highschoolhighlights@upandcomingweekly.com Subject line: High School Highlights Please include your photo and school information.