University of Dayton Athletics

Leland “Junior” Norris attended UD from 1948-1952.  The captain of the team, Norris had a killer jump shot.  To combat this, defenders would play up and tight on Junior just long enough to see him blow by you with his deceptive quickness.    At 6’1’’ and 226 pounds, he was a load to handle on both ends of the court.  As captain of 1952 UD basketball team, he led his team to the NIT finals.  His career high for points scored was 24 against Louisville in a memorable comeback which had the flyers down 19 to the Cardinals.  He remembers the game against Toledo at U.D. Fieldhouse, “we were tied 44-44 at the end of the third quarter that night, but Toledo never got another point.  We won the game 61-44, and I hit five straight shots from the outside in the fourth quarter.  It certainly was a gratifying night.  And, I might add, a gratifying thing playing for UD.“  

“Junior” was not the only nickname Leland received while at UD.  He received the nickname “Atomic Tank” after the game against Louisville.  His teammates call him “bear” due to his physical stature.   Flyer foes nicknamed him “Humphrey” after the cartoon character from the Joe Palooka comic strip.  He was named All-NIT, All-Ohio, and honorable mention All-American.  Junior died at age 77 on December 27, 2006