Temple University Athletics
Temple Mourns the Passing of Men’s Basketball Great Jay Norman
2.6.21 | Men's Basketball
Temple University mourns the loss of another of its all-time men's basketball greats, Jay Norman. He passed away on February 6 at the age of 87.
"Jay was not only a great basketball player, but a wonderful man who was loved by all," said Acting Director of Athletics Fran Dunphy. "He was an integral part of Temple Basketball for four decades, starring as a player under Harry Litwack in the 1950s and then serving as an assistant coach for 21 years under Litwack, Don Casey and John Chaney. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Mr. Norman played for the Owls from the 1955-56 season through the 1957-58 campaign, helping lead the program to two trips to the NCAA Final Four. His teams compiled a 74-16 record over those three seasons, winning a then-record 27 games in each Final Four run (1956, 1958).
At six-feet, four-inches, Mr. Norman was an undersized big man, but played larger than life. The first 1000-point, 1000-rebound player in Temple basketball history, scoring 1,024 points and pulling down 1,019 rebounds in his three seasons.
Twice named first team All-Philadelphia Big 5, Mr. Norman was selected in the seventh round of the 1958 NBA Draft by Philadelphia. He would later star professionally in the Eastern League before joining his Temple mentor as an assistant for the 1967-68 campaign.
As an assistant coach, Mr. Norman would work primarily with the Owls' big men, including another 1000-point, 1000-rebound player, John Baum.
"Jay Norman was a major reason my 1969 team won the NIT Championship," said Baum, the longtime Owls' radio color analyst and former NBA veteran. "His invaluable teaching to me and the rest of my teammates was the difference between winning and losing. He personally was the key to my success."
Besides helping Temple win the NIT, Mr. Norman was also on the staff for 13 other trips to the postseason, including the Owls' 1987-88 team that finished the season ranked #1 in the nation. That was Coach Chaney's first of five NCAA Elite Eight squads.
A member of both the Temple Athletics and Philadelphia Big 5 Halls of Fame, Mr. Norman would later serve a short stint as the radio color analyst for the men's basketball program. He was also inducted into the Temple Basketball Ring of Honor in 2016.
"There have been many great players to have worn the Cherry and White, and Jay Norman is clearly right there among them," said current Temple coach Aaron McKie. "Unfortunately I never saw him play, but his legend has been passed on from generation to generation of Temple players. As a man, he always carried himself with grace and dignity. A true ambassador for Temple Basketball and Temple University. He will be deeply missed."
"Jay was not only a great basketball player, but a wonderful man who was loved by all," said Acting Director of Athletics Fran Dunphy. "He was an integral part of Temple Basketball for four decades, starring as a player under Harry Litwack in the 1950s and then serving as an assistant coach for 21 years under Litwack, Don Casey and John Chaney. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Mr. Norman played for the Owls from the 1955-56 season through the 1957-58 campaign, helping lead the program to two trips to the NCAA Final Four. His teams compiled a 74-16 record over those three seasons, winning a then-record 27 games in each Final Four run (1956, 1958).
At six-feet, four-inches, Mr. Norman was an undersized big man, but played larger than life. The first 1000-point, 1000-rebound player in Temple basketball history, scoring 1,024 points and pulling down 1,019 rebounds in his three seasons.
Twice named first team All-Philadelphia Big 5, Mr. Norman was selected in the seventh round of the 1958 NBA Draft by Philadelphia. He would later star professionally in the Eastern League before joining his Temple mentor as an assistant for the 1967-68 campaign.
As an assistant coach, Mr. Norman would work primarily with the Owls' big men, including another 1000-point, 1000-rebound player, John Baum.
"Jay Norman was a major reason my 1969 team won the NIT Championship," said Baum, the longtime Owls' radio color analyst and former NBA veteran. "His invaluable teaching to me and the rest of my teammates was the difference between winning and losing. He personally was the key to my success."
Besides helping Temple win the NIT, Mr. Norman was also on the staff for 13 other trips to the postseason, including the Owls' 1987-88 team that finished the season ranked #1 in the nation. That was Coach Chaney's first of five NCAA Elite Eight squads.
A member of both the Temple Athletics and Philadelphia Big 5 Halls of Fame, Mr. Norman would later serve a short stint as the radio color analyst for the men's basketball program. He was also inducted into the Temple Basketball Ring of Honor in 2016.
"There have been many great players to have worn the Cherry and White, and Jay Norman is clearly right there among them," said current Temple coach Aaron McKie. "Unfortunately I never saw him play, but his legend has been passed on from generation to generation of Temple players. As a man, he always carried himself with grace and dignity. A true ambassador for Temple Basketball and Temple University. He will be deeply missed."
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