Brian Norris, ladies and gentlemen. In all his glory.
He is a scamp.
A walking, talking, joybuzzer-wielding whoopee cushion come to life.
During his time at the center of Coupeville High School sports, few could match the spirit and joy Brian Norris brought to the stage.
He had fun as a baseball and tennis player, taking the sports seriously, but himself and his teammates not so much.
His greatest accomplishments may have come, however, when he stepped to the sideline, and along with other legends like Danny Savalza, Jake Tumblin and Brenden Coleman, goosed Wolf Nation and anyone he could get his hands on.
A loud ‘n proud vuvuzela horn-blowing mad man at a time when the school administration frowned on spontaneous (or choreographed) inanity of any kind, he fought the good battle.
Norris honored those who went before him, the mythical legends like Will Butela and Mike Duke, and, thankfully, seems to have inspired those behind him.
Even as he is off in Colorado matriculating at the University of Denver (and creating havoc on the radio Mondays 4-5 PM and Thursday 2-3, streaming at http://du.orgsync.com/org/kxdu/home), the seeds he helped plant locally have begun to take root.
The CHS sophomores have brought the costumes back out this year, got a little wild at times, staged a rebirth of the lively student section Norris and the lads once made bounce.
He may be gone, but his legacy lives on.
I know he’d be proud of that, and it makes for a nice birthday present as he celebrates his big day today.
So, wherever you are, whatever you’re doing today, make some noise for Brian. Let the sounds of Cow Town wash across the USA and land on his ears in Colorado.
If he can hear them above whatever mischief he’s up to himself, of course.
