Teacher with no Salary Playing Semi-Pro Baseball

Norman Brown, originally from Minnedosa, Manitoba, completed his high school and BA programs at Notre Dame College in Wilcox, Saskatchewan and his Master's at University of Toronto. He excelled on both the hockey and baseball Notre Dame Hounds' teams. In 1948, Norm returned to Notre Dame to teach two years - he asked for no salary just room and board. During this teaching tenure, he played league and semi‑pro baseball with other notable athletes like Gordie Howe. Norm spent the entire 1951 season playing for the Saskatoon '55s. 

In 1953, Norm began his 32 year teaching career at Wetaskiwin Composite High School (WCHS).   In that time he became one of the Wetaskiwin's most popular and well liked individuals. 

Coaching Unfamilar Game, but Leads Football Team to Record Breaking Season

Notre Dame College was a school which emphasized academics, athletics, leadership and spirituality. Norm Brown exemplified these principles in Wetaskiwin. He was always involved in various school and community organizations, and in curriculum and professional development. In sports, he organized and coached hockey, curling and softball and introduced T‑ball to Wetaskiwin. 

His sports legacy, however, is with WCHS Sabres Football. Unexpectedly, he assumed the Head Coach position in 1953.  Not having played football, the sport was not that familiar to him. In short order, however, he changed the offensive scheme to the Split T and the Sabres began to win games. In the next six years, the Sabres posted 46 wins, 0 losses, and 3 ties. The Sabres won 5 consecutive league championships. Their first defeat came in the third league game versus Camrose Lutheran College in October of 1959. 

For a number of years, the 46-0-3 statistic was also a North American football record. Norm continued to coach until 1964. With no league to play in, Norm Brown felt it was time to pass his clipboard to Frank Lockhart. After more than fifty years the Sabres Football program at WCHS remains strong to this day.  After playing with the Sabres many players have gone on to play Junior and University Football.   

Recognition Awards

Norm received many awards for his professional, service‑club, or community service contributions.  Four awards for his sports affiliation are listed here. 
1948 ‑ University of Toronto ‑ Letter‑Hockey 
1987 ‑ City of Wetaskiwin ‑ Norm Brown Field 
1988 ‑ Football Alberta ‑ Lifetime Achievement Award -Norm Brown Conference 
2001 ‑ Baseball Saskatchewan ‑ Sports Hall of Fame  

Notes since induction year:  
Norm's semi-pro basebase career in Saskatchewan which garnered him Hall of Fame Status deserves attention.  Between 1943 and 1952, Norm played baseball with the Notre Dame Hounds, Saskatoon 55's and the Regina caps.  He was valuable behind the plate as catcher, but he also played  short stop and 3rd base.  With his batting average hovering between .361 and .452 in those years it is not surprising that he made the top ten batting list many times.  He often led the league in stolen bases.   Reports of those games often cited "Normie Brown" for "leading the batsmen"  hitting the safeties, and "handling the ball without a miscue."