You’ve heard the story so many times, by now it’s almost a cliché: Athlete overcomes a difficult upbringing and less-than-ideal family circumstances, creating an opportunity through sports that allows him to make a better life. But that’s not Norris Cole’s story.
Cole, who grew up in Dayton, Ohio, is the son of a successful accountant (mother Diane) and nuclear-med tech (father Norris Sr.). Both now retired, the Coles have been married 31 years and raised their son and two daughters in old-school fashion, emphasizing school over sports. Norris was an elite student, a member of the Honor Society and the salutatorian of his senior class at Dunbar High, with A’s in every subject.