By Dave Johnson
William & Mary Athletics
 
Chris Norris came to William & Mary as a freshman in 1991. Nearly three decades later, he's still here.

After playing four seasons on the Tribe's soccer team, Norris became a volunteer assistant coach in 1995. He was soon elevated to full-time and became head coach Al Albert's right-hand man. 

Then, in 2004, Norris became Albert's hand-picked successor. Now, he's the Tribe's longest-tenured head coach.

"I could see he had a great love for the school and the program and would be very content in this situation," said Albert, W&M's associate director of development. "For a lot of people in coaching, it's not just 'I want to go to this place for my entire career,' but 'I want to get to the ACC and double my salary.'"

To honor that commitment to W&M, Albert ('69) organized an unrestricted men's soccer endowment in Norris' name to ensure the program has necessary funding. Led by gifts from the Bell family — Ryder, a former player, and his parents, Buddy and Hilary — more than $105,000 in cash and pledges has already been raised.

The announcement was made Monday night to kick off the team's virtual Tribe Talk with alumni and fans. Although the endowment was 10 months in the making, the secret was successfully kept from Norris.

"I'm blown away," Norris said Monday night. "I'm actually on vacation at the beach right now with a couple of very close family friends who also have affiliations with William & Mary soccer and know me very well. Right before I got on the call, they jokingly said 'Dude, just make sure you don't cry this time,' because I have that reputation.

"Sure enough, this got me. I didn't think I'd have any problems tonight, but I'm in shock and I'm blown away. I can't thank everybody enough."

Going into his 17^th season, Norris has a career record of 143-123-43. His teams have won two Colonial Athletic Association championships and made four appearances in the NCAA tournament.

"I literally have tried for the last 16 years to stand on the shoulders of a giant," Norris said, referring to Albert.

Ryder Bell, a four-year starter from 2015-18, appreciated both Norris' knowledge of the game and concern for his players.

"There was obviously the soccer side, where he was a very knowledgeable and reflective coach," Ryder Bell said. "He was also emotionally invested in us as people.

"In the banquets we had, he pretty much can't get through talking about us when we're leaving. That shows how much he cares about us."

As a parent, Buddy Bell appreciated Norris' relationship with his players.

"It wasn't all about soccer there," he said. "He was thinking more about each individual and helping them grow."

Norris started 81 games his playing days at W&M from 1991-94. As a defender, he had three goals and 16 assists in his career. He was first-team All-CAA in his junior and senior seasons and was named the team's Most Valuable Player in 1993.

The Tribe went 56-20-11 and made two trips to the NCAA tournament in his four seasons. More than his production on the field, Albert relied on Norris' ability to lead.

"Chris as a (high school) junior soccer player had captained a national championship club team from Northern Virginia called the Vista HURRICANES," Albert said. "I heard from his club coach, Pete Johnson, what an amazing leader this guy was. 

"I think his sophomore year (at W&M in '92), he started to take over the team from a leadership standpoint. And we went back to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1987. His leadership was really exceptional, and that's why he's a really good coach now as well."

Albert said the plan for an endowment began about 10 months ago. He's excited how well it's gone and expects the announcement to only increase contributions.

"I'm sure it will lead to a number of gifts in the following days leading up to 'One Tribe, One Day' and beyond," he said. "I honestly think this is an initiative our alumni will be very excited to support."