Norman R. Eavenson, Jr. was born in West Chester on October 26, 1947. Norm, a lifelong resident of the Borough, died unexpectedly on November 14, 2021. He was a graduate of West Chester High School (Henderson) with a BA from Gettysburg, a master’s in political science from Villanova and a teaching certificate from Immaculata.

He was actively involved in local and college sports for 50 or more years. Always a sports fan from his youth, Norm was not an athlete. In his early 20s, he transitioned from a fan of the West Chester Adult Baseball League to a League official serving for 24 years. He joined the WCABL as Secretary in 1972 and became the League’s first Executive Director in 1984 while keeping the secretary’s position and adding the treasurer’s duties. In 1988, he stepped down as Executive director and Secretary, but continued as Treasurer until 1996. He was inducted into the West Chester Adult Baseball League’s Hall of Fame in 1995.

Norm was a teacher for 32 years in the Kennett Square School District. His main interest besides teaching, was basketball. As a “hoops” fan, he began working as a scout for the Ben Gibbons All-Star Sports Report and became a certified NCAA Talent Evaluator. Norm traveled the Mid-Atlantic region watching high school basketball games and showcases where he could be found off to the side in gymnasiums in his folding “blue chair.”

After retirement from teaching, he founded his own company, Middle Atlantic Recruiting Services. As a well-respected talent advisor for many colleges and universities at the time of his death, his NCAA Division I clients totaled 65. Also, because of his work, Philadelphia Inquirer and Washington Post sports reporters found him to be a reliable source for basketball information.

Numerous local basketball coaches attended his memorial service. According to his obituary, “Late in life Norm became fascinated by English Premier League Soccer” and flew to England to attend matches in person. To most people in Chester County, Norm Eavenson flew under the radar of life and his sports career was unknown.