44 <strong>Scottsdale</strong><strong>Health</strong> 12/19 / by Autumn Jarrett / photos by Claudia Johnstone
Discipline, empathy, camaraderie and perseverance are just a few of things that Randy Norton’s early athletic career taught him that he still carries today into adulthood. While growing up battling the snowy winters of Minneapolis, Minnesota, a young Norton found himself intrigued with sports, such as basketball, which later grew into an everlasting passion of a lifetime of being active. Norton first started playing winter sports when he was about 5 years old. He discovered baseball and football later, and since neither of his two older siblings took on the same passion for sports, he assumed the role of being the “jock” of the family. When Norton was preparing to begin high school, his parents decided to leave the winters of Minnesota behind and relocate their family to Arizona. “My parents choosing to move to Phoenix when I was 13 was rough because you are entering a new school with people who have established their cliques and friendships early on,” Norton says. But one thing stood true: Norton still loved sports and found his niche playing basketball, baseball and running track at Paradise Valley High School. After high school, Norton went on to play collegiate basketball at The University of Redlands in Redlands, California. “Going from playing high school basketball to the collegiate level was a difficult transition,” he says. “The University of Redlands always played ‘West Coast tempo’ style of basketball.” Randy Norton leaves it all on the field for community impact through Fiesta Bowl The up-tempo type of game was something that Redlands coach Gary Smith learned while studying under legendary coach Paul Westhead, the first coach of Magic Johnson at the Lakers. His creation consisted of a full court press with two to three passes and then a shot. “In high school I was used to playing a traditional, more defensive-oriented, type of game,” Norton says. “Once I got to Redlands, we were literally running teams out the gym.” After graduating from college, Norton returned to Arizona where he continued to play in a few leagues with semi-professional players before hanging up his jersey for good. Norton has retired from playing basketball competitively and is currently serving as the lead client service partner and regional managing director with Deloitte, LLP. Though no longer on the court every day, he still has a burning passion for being active. “I continue to work out four to five days a week,” he says. “That endorphin rush just starts your day right. I can’t imagine life without it; I even bring my workout gear with me wherever I travel. It truly helps with staying mentally and emotionally fit as well.” You can find Norton doing anything from lifting, cycling, playing tennis, hiking, running and maybe even shooting a few baskets here and there. And with his passion for sports, Norton has found a way to stay involved by giving back to others that enjoy it as well. In 2001, while Norton was volunteering his time coaching basketball at The Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Phoenix and serving on the board, a good friend encouraged him to join the Fiesta Bowl Committee. As Norton familiarized himself with the Fiesta Bowl’s mission and values, he became more drawn to its sense of community and historical relevance. “The Fiesta Bowl is aligned with collegiate sports and fun, so it easily tied back to my passion,” he says. “And I would also be helping create a deeper sense of community though charitable causes – something that the Fiesta Bowl has done a great job of doing over the years.” The pillars of youth, sports and education drive the Fiesta Bowl’s community activities. Fiesta Bowl Charities donated $3 million to nonprofits in <strong>2019</strong>-2020, including $1 million in grants to teachers during its Wishes for Teachers, powered by DriveTime program. Norton currently serves as the chairelect of the Board of Directors, meaning he’ll take over as chair of the board of the Fiesta Bowl in 2021. The annual events will take place Dec. 27 and 28, featuring the Cheez-it Bowl, the Desert Financial Fiesta Bowl Parade, and the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl. For tickets and more information, visit www.fiestabowl.org. 12/19 <strong>Scottsdale</strong><strong>Health</strong> 45
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