Merritt Norvell
Biographical details
Born(1941-02-12)February 12, 1941
DiedOctober 19, 2020(2020-10-19) (aged 79)
Lansing, Michigan, U.S.
Playing career
1960–1962Wisconsin
Position(s)Halfback
Administrative career (AD unless noted)
1995–1998Michigan State

Merritt James Norvell Jr. (February 12, 1941 – October 19, 2020) was an American college athletics administrator. He served as the athletic director at Michigan State University from 1995 to 1998.[1][2]

Norvell attended Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, Illinois, were he starred in four sports. He moved on to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers as a halfback and was a member of the 1962 Wisconsin Badgers football team that played in the 1963 Rose Bowl.[3]

Norvell died on October 19, 2020, in Lansing, Michigan.[4] Norvell's son, Jay Norvell, is a football coach and former player.[5][6]

References

  1. ^ Ebling, Jack (May 26, 1995). "Winning Team Complete". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. p. 1C. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  2. ^ Ebling, Jack (May 26, 1995). "Ebling: Winning team complete (continued)". Lansing State Journal. Lansing, Michigan. p. 4C. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  3. ^ "Former Michigan St. AD Merritt Norvell Jr., of Jacksonville, dies at 79". The State Journal-Register. Springfield, Illinois. October 20, 2020. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  4. ^ Paul, Tony (October 20, 2020). "MSU pioneer Merritt Norvell, one of nation's first Black athletic directors, dies at 79". The Detroit News. Detroit, Michigan. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  5. ^ Feuerherd, Vic (September 2, 1990). "All in the family". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 1E. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
  6. ^ Feuerherd, Vic (September 2, 1990). "Badger football is family affair (continued)". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 6E. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com Open access icon.
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