Basketball is a wonderful sport enjoyed by several million people across the world. It kept the youth busy and out of trouble. Coaching kids has been one of the most rewarding and redemptive periods of author Norris A. Powell’s life. As a coach, he cannot always control his fate, job, or destiny but he can make a positive difference in every life that he influences. In And 1...: So You Want To Be A Coach, Powell shares an essential guide for would-be basketball coaches so they can take on the challenge of providing players with mental toughness and good solid fundamentals.
Norris A. Powell - Teacher /Coach Mr. Norris Anthony Powell hails from Jackson, Mississippi. Mr. Powell enlisted in the U.S. Navy in November 1976 as a seaman recruit and served onboard the guided missile destroyer USS John S. McCain (DDG-36). After his enlistment, Petty Officer Third Class Powell continued to serve in the navy reserve, advancing to the rank of First Class Petty Officer. Based on his medical military training, Powell challenged and passed the exam boards for Licensed Practical Nurse in the state of Arkansas. He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from Jackson State University on May 12, 1986. Upon graduation from college, Mr. Powell was accepted into the US Navy as an officer and served onboard the dock landing ship USS Fort Fisher (LSD-40) until November 30, 1990. Mr. Norris Powell returned to Jackson, Mississippi to initiate his teaching career but was recruited by the Dallas police department before his first week was completed. Mr. Powell was elected as his police academy class president and served the city of Dallas for five and a half years. During this time period, Mr. Powell completed requirements for teaching science and biology in the secondary schools of Texas and Mississippi graduating with a Masters degree in Secondary Education from East Texas State University on December 18 1993. Mr. Powell returned to Mississippi in August 1996 to accept a teaching and coaching position at South Delta high school in Rolling Fork, Mississippi. Coach Powell moved back to Jackson, Mississippi the following year and coached the varsity girl’s basketball team at Lanier high school to the state quarterfinals. He remained in Jackson for two years then took on the job of head basketball coach for varsity and junior high girls in Aberdeen, Mississippi. Coach Powell’s team won several junior high county tournaments and his varsity team made history by winning the championship of the 2005 Monroe county basketball tournament for the first time in 74 years! Coach Norris A. Powell has served as an assistant athletic director and presided over several school functions in Aberdeen, Mississippi. He is presently teaching biology and conceptual physics to high school students in addition to coaching the varsity girl’s basketball team at Central high school in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Mr. Powell retired from the navy reserves in November 2006 while completing an Internship in Education Administration for certification in Prince George’s County Public School system, Maryland. Mr. Norris Anthony Powell vigorously involved in several programs designed to improve the academic and behavioral culture at Central high school in Prince George’s County Maryland. Mr. Powell recently took the “School Leaders Licensure Assessment” June 9th and is looking forward to his next mission/adventure in life.