Norm Van Lier (Finding Aid)

Norm Van Lier

1947 - 2009

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Lobster Tails

Favorite Time of Year: Fall

Favorite Vacation Spot: Jamaica

Interview Length: 133 minutes

Interview Date(s): November 4, 2003

Interview Location(s): The HistoryMakers, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Norm Van Lier talks about his parents' backgrounds, their personalities, and the values instilled in him by his parents and grandmother. He then details his childhood growing up in Midland, Pennsylvania, and the area's long-standing tradition of sports, namely football. Norm Van Lier recalls the popularity of sports in Midland, Pennsylvania and shares stories about his participation in various sports during high school. He then talks about the teachers and coaches who mentored him in school. Van Lier discusses his growing racial awareness during his youth in the 1960s. Lastly, Van Lier details his decision to attend Saint Francis College, a small school in Pennsylvania, rather than attending a large sports-oriented university. Norm Van Lier describes the environment in and around Saint Francis College in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He then shares his remembrances of the day Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, and expresses his anger over continuing racial disparity in today's society. He then painfully recalls the death of a close friend. Van Lier then talks about his continued participation in sports during college and his subsequent draft into the National Basketball Association. Lastly, he discusses his years with the Chicago Bulls and assesses his performance on the court. Norm Van Lier discusses his eleven years with the Chicago Bulls basketball team, his personal successes, and comments on the importance of good coaching. He then comments on drug use in professional sports, and details his becoming addicted to pain killers after playing with injuries for many years. Van Lier gives his opinions on the National Basketball Association recruiting teenagers to play professional basketball rather than having them complete college. Lastly he comments on the importance of family rather than sports in the black community, and his displeasure with the today's NBA draft. Norm Van Lier recalls his difficulties in finding a job after his basketball career ended. He then talks about his current, multi-faceted career of being a sports analyst on television and radio, and speaking about sports and society on the public speaking circuit. Van Lier then comments about the NBA championships won by the Chicago Bulls. Lastly, he gives reflections on his life and career and details his future plans.

43 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)