Ferrum, VA, June 2, 2026 — Ferrum College Football celebrated the 16th Annual Hank Norton Memorial Golf Tournament on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Botetourt Golf & Swim Country Club in Troutville, Virginia. Generations of Ferrum football players, known proudly as the Black Hats, gathered with their supporters for a day of camaraderie, competition, and remembrance.
With beautiful weather and strong participation, 107 players took part in this year’s tournament, continuing a tradition honoring the life and legacy of legendary Ferrum football coach Hank Norton.
More than a golf tournament, the annual event celebrates Coach Hank Norton’s enduring influence on Ferrum Football and the countless lives he touched as a mentor, leader, and teacher. Known for leading with integrity and treating people the right way, Norton built a culture that continues to shape Ferrum Football today.
Adding to the day’s significance, Coach Norton’s son, Jack Norton ’90, and grandson, Jackson Norton, both participated in the tournament, underscoring the lasting family ties and deep personal connections that define the Ferrum Football community.
Former Ferrum College football standout Chris Warren ’90, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, also attended the event, joining alumni, friends, and supporters to celebrate the program and reconnect with fellow Black Hats.
“What’s really special to me right now is seeing some of the newer and younger generations join us for this golf tournament, and the tradition just keeps moving forward at a very fast pace. And everyone’s just proud to be here,” said Director of Athletics Cleive Adams ’02.
The tournament carried forward the strong momentum built in recent years and once again demonstrated the enduring strength of Ferrum Football’s Black Hats brotherhood.
“It was an awesome day to see so many different decades of Black Hats come together for one day of golf,” said Head Football Coach Kevin Sherman ’92. “We all have something in common through that black helmet, going all the way back to the Hank Norton era. It gets better every year. Seeing the different eras of alumni, hearing their stories, and bringing everybody into one room is what makes this special. This little place has made a big impact on so many lives and communities.”
Funds raised through the Hank Norton Memorial Golf Tournament directly support the Ferrum College Football program, providing resources that enhance the student-athlete experience and strengthen the program’s future as it heads into its second year of Division II football this fall.
Ferrum College President Mirta Martin praised the tournament’s impact and the commitment of Ferrum Football supporters. “The Hank Norton Memorial Golf Tournament embodies the very best of Ferrum College: tradition, loyalty, and a shared commitment to investing in our students,” Martin said. “The continued support of our Ferrum Black Hat family creates meaningful opportunities for our student-athletes and ensures that the legacy of excellence and service championed by Coach Norton continues to inspire future generations.”
The need for that support remains significant. Ferrum Football continues to seek sponsors and donors to support its summer program, which enables student-athletes to return to campus early for preseason preparation and team development. The cost to bring each player back to campus for the summer is approximately $1,000 per student, making community and alumni support critical to the program’s continued growth and success.
As Ferrum College Football looks ahead, the message remains clear: the tradition is strong, the brotherhood endures, and the commitment to building something greater than football continues to unite generations of Black Hats.
Click here to watch WSLS Sports Anchor/Reporter Spencer Pierce’s coverage of the tournament.
