MEET THE DIRECTOR

Interim Director Jim Norris

Jim Norris was named interim director of athletics in September 2009 and brings 27 years of administrative experience to the table as a member of the Senior Officers Group for University Interim President C. Peter Magrath.

Norris is a lifelong Binghamton resident who is entering his 20th year at the University. With an unwavering devotion to the institution, he has spearheaded a revitalization of BU's core mission of intercollegiate athletics and his energetic, hands-on leadership has paved the way for BU student-athletes and staff to "Make an Impact" on campus and in the community.

Since being elevated to director of athletics in 2009, Norris has initiated department-wide strategic planning and efficiency standards. Under his direction, coaches and staff have participated in committee work on a wide range of topics including diversity, student-athlete welfare, academic and athletic excellence, campus and community relations, facilities, compliance and maximizing resources. That committee research and other administrative initiatives have set a "roadmap" for the department's future.

He has been a positive role model in the community, stemming from decades of coaching area youth and reinforced through countless speaking engagements and volunteer activities. Norris' enthusiasm and personal accountability quickly carried over to the staff and student-athletes, who enjoyed one of the finest years in the program's Division I history in 2009-10. Several of the highlight achievements under Norris' leadership include:

The overall student-athlete grade-point average in the last two years (3.12 and 3.11) represent the two highest GPAs in the history of BU athletics
More than two-thirds of BU athletes produced a 3.0 or higher GPA in 2009-10; more than one-third had a 3.5 or higher
The program finished in the top-half of the 2009-10 America East Commissioner's Cup for the seventh straight year
One-third of the head coaches were named conference Coach of the Year in 2009-10
Two teams were nationally-ranked and five teams won conference championships in 2009-10
Student-athletes and staff volunteered more than 30,000 hours in the community in 2009-10

In his 11th year as a senior level administrator, Norris has played a vital role in the growth of Binghamton's athletics program from its Division III roots to its present status as a comprehensive and successful Division I program. Prior to being promoted to interim director of athletics, Norris served as a senior associate athletics director with direct oversight to 19 of the University's 21 sport teams, the Sports Medicine Division, and the Strength and Conditioning program. Norris also served as the HPEA Department liaison to Physical Facilities and as the West Gym Building Administrator.

Notable accomplishments during Norris' tenure include the addition of the men's and women's lacrosse programs, the complete restructuring of the Sports Medicine and SSO Divisions, and the implementation of a random student-athlete drug testing program. Numerous programs during his administrative tenure have competed for, or won America East Conference Championships (including men's swimming and diving, golf, men's/women's soccer, men's lacrosse, volleyball, baseball, and men's/women's tennis), have competed in NCAA national tournaments in seven different sports, and have contributed significantly toward winning the America East Conference Academic Cup twice during their time in the conference. Additionally, Norris served on the planning committee for the construction of the Events Center and as the "point person" for the athletic department during the design and construction phases of the Bearcat Sports Complex.

Within the America East Conference, Norris has been equally active, serving on the Committee on Competition and Championships for seven years and also as the sport liaison for baseball (6 years) and volleyball (1 year).

Prior to assuming his present duties, Norris spent nine years with the Binghamton men's basketball program during which time BU enjoyed four of their most successful seasons in school history in terms of total wins. Norris helped build a top-notch Division III program in the early 90s, and then took the head coaching reigns during the University's historic transition to Division II.

Norris came to Binghamton in 1991, where he was the top assistant coach to Dick Baldwin for five years, including two seasons as associate head coach. In all, Norris has coached basketball for close to thirty years, including eight seasons with the Chenango Forks High School boys' varsity team, where he racked up more than 100 wins. Norris has coached and mentored several young coaches who are among the elite up-and-coming coaches in the game today.

Prior to taking over full-time at Binghamton in August 1996, Norris spent seventeen years as a park and recreation administrator for the City of Binghamton and County of Broome.

Norris is a 1979 graduate of SUNY Cortland, where he received a bachelor's degree in physical education, and a master's degree in recreation.

Still active in the local community, Norris has offered his time for countless speaking engagements in the Southern Tier and serves on the Broome County Arena/Forum Board of Directors. Additionally, he has been actively involved with the youth program at St. Paul's Church coaching youth basketball for youngsters in grades K-8. In the spring of 2001, he was honored with the prestigious Service to Mankind award by the Binghamton-Vestal Sertoma Club, and was one of fifty people featured in the first edition of Faces of the Southern Tier.

He and his wife, Lisa, reside in Binghamton.