Chapel Hill's Sherry Norris can add another accomplishment to her already splendid coaching resume. The N.C. High School Athletic Association has named Norris as its 2012 women's Toby Webb Coach of the Year.
"I can't think of a more deserving person," said Chapel Hl athletics director Tod Morgan. "Coach Norris has not just had a tremendous year, she's had a tremendous career so far."
Norris, who has coached two Chapel Hill volleyball teams and one girls' basketball team to past NCHSAA championships, has led Chapel Hill teams to more than 1,100 total wins over 34 years.
This year, Norris guided the CHHS volleyball team to a 24-5 record and her basketball team to a 27-3 finish. Both teams reached the state regionals.
The NCHSAA's Webb Award annually recognizes the top female and male coach, from any sport, who have affected student-athletes positively by encouraging them to succeed, to display good sportsmanship, and to help them develop self-confidence, ambition, a sound work ethic and other skills necessary for success in the students' later lives.
Webb winners also have records of encouraging student-athletes to be well-rounded in areas such as scholarship, citizenship and the arts.
Honored at the NCHSAA's annual meeting, Norris and the as-yet undisclosed male Coach of the Year' recipient will receive a $2,000 cash award and commemorative plaque.
Elliott Warnock writes for The Chapel Hill News and The Durham News. He can be reached at