Norris teacher, coach and longtime basketball official Gary Pence was recognized by the Nebraska State Athletic Administrators’ Association as a 2013-14 Outstanding Service Award winner.  Mr. Pence was one of several award winners at the NSIAAA annual banquet on Wednesday, March 12th at Wilderness Ridge.  

Mr. Pence is a 1973 graduate of York High School and alum of Doane College (1977) who obtained his graduate degree from UNL (1981).  Mr. Pence has been an outstanding PE teacher and Coach at Norris for 36 years at Norris.  During his excellent tenure, Mr. Pence has coached several sports, including middle school and high school football for 34 years.  He has coached in two Class B State Championship games, in 1979 and 2012.

Mr. Pence has officiated over 2,000 regular season basketball games, and has worked over 40 district tournaments and seven state championship tourneys. Accepting the award, Mr. Pence noted “I can vividly remember the many great players and people I have met through coaching and refereeing! I will always cherish the relationships I have made through the years with the many players, coaches and fans!” Those attending the NSIAAA banquet to honor Mr. Pence included his son Mark, wife Barb, Athletic Director Greg Hardin, and Booster President and Norris Board member Jim Kruger.