The late Coach Norm Harris Jr. will be honored in February with a gymnasium named in his honor at the Campo Family YMCA.
As we remember Dr. King’s legacy through volunteerism this month, we’re getting ready to dedicate a Tampa YMCA gymnasium in honor of a special volunteer.
Before Norman Harris Jr. passed away in 2018, he coached 60 teams and hundreds of athletes, many through the Campo Family YMCA. Members since the Y opened in Valrico, Norm and his wife, Jessica, went on to serve on the advisory board.
“Mr. Harris has coached thousands of kids through our program who have gone on to play middle school ball and high school ball in our community,” says Campo Y Executive Director Jarrod Williams. “He embodied what it means to be a YMCA volunteer coach and it is safe to say he has left a lasting impact on just about every child he coached.”
“Nearly one year ago, Jessica met with me and Jarrod to discuss a memorial gift to honor her husband,” recalls Tampa Y Chief Development Officer W. Scott Barnhard. “After exploring several options, Jessica and her family decided to provide a leadership gift to the Campo YMCA to name the gymnasium after her husband.”
“Norm spent many hours of his life in the YMCA gym and so we found it fitting to name it for him so that people would remember his commitment to the young people of this community,” says Jessica.
Their children, Jacob, Henry and Sarah, grew up at the Campo Y and look forward to seeing their dad’s name on the gym. “I cannot express in words how amazing my father was,” shares Jacob. “He was the most caring and loving man. When we played sports, he coached everything. He took us to games and coached almost every single one of our teams. If my teammates needed anything, he would be the one to make it happen - from buying meals or helping with fees to providing rides or finding training. He helped them with life, through sports. He made them not only better players but better men. I always admired my dad’s selflessness.”
The Campo Y is incredibly honored and sincerely appreciate the Harris family’s desire to honor Coach Norm by naming the very gymnasium where he changed lives. The Coach Norm Harris, Jr. Gymnasium will continue his legacy of generosity, sportsmanship and teamwork. The dedication ceremony for the Coach Norm Harris Jr. Gymnasium is Sunday, Feb. 28 at 3 pm. Learn more about memorial gifts to the Y.