TROUTVILLE, Va. (WFXR) – On June 3, the Hank Norton Black Hats golf tournament returned to the Botetourt Golf and Swim Club. The tournament honors former Ferrum College head football coach and athletic director Hank Norton.
During his tenure, Norton led the black hats to multiple NJCAA National Championships. He passed away back in 2019 at the age of 91. According to Ferrum College head football coach Cleive Adams, the impact he’s left on the lives of his players and the college continues to be felt throughout the region.
“Coach Norton has had a lasting impact on a lot of lives all the way back throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s, and into the early 90s when he retired. But his legacy, his teaching, and his mentorship and his fatherhood has impacted so many guys in this program throughout the years. The black hat brotherhood is extremely important to a lot of people for me as head coach it just warms my heart to see all of the support and everyone coming out. The brotherhood, the fellowship it’s just wonderful,” said Adams.
The Panthers open the football season Saturday, September 2, against Muskingum. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. in Ohio.
