A.W. Norman was born in Culpeper County, Virginia. After graduating from high school, he enrolled at Roanoke College, where he earned his B.A. degree in 1913. Two years later he was awarded a master's degree from Roanoke. He pursued additional graduate study work at the University of Illinois.
Norman's entire career has been devoted to athletics and coaching. In 1919, at the close of World War I, he returned to his Alma Mater for one year to coach. The following year he went to Bailey Military Academy in Greenwood, South Carolina, and remained there for the rest of his life.
Norman specialized in track, and he produced championship teams for Furman University, the University of South Carolina, the Citadel, and Clemson University. He coached and taught at Carlisle Military School for over twenty years, and was the athletic director. For nearly 25 years he directed a camp for boys at Brevard, North Carolina as well.
After a career of more than forty five years, Coach Norman has earned a reputation has one of the outstanding men of athletics in South Carolina. A.W. Norman was awarded the Roanoke College Medal on October 28, 1967 for his outstanding accomplishments and dedication to the community.
A.W. Norman received the Roanoke College Medal in 1967.