Norm Van Lier dead at 61

That is good stuff Roman! Norm made the pre, halftime and post game shows such a treat. Norm kept it real. He often struggled with holding back his feelings. He wore it all on his sleeves including his love for the team.

I would love to see that head bobbing, those hands waving and those eyes glaring right into the Bulls lockerroom when things didnt go well. He said what we were all feeling. Bulls might not have provided 48 minutes of intensity every night, but that wasn't because Norm didn't ask!! Bulls management didn't do right by Norm and now he's gone. He should have been invited to the floor for the Kerr night, and they should have honored Norm somehow (appreciate who you got, while you have them). Gone are the voices of championship lore, and now we have to turn the page. Seems like yesterday. I will really really miss Norm and Redd.

WOW when I read the news over 30 minutes ago (Via Suntimes online) I was shocked. I mean he was one of the heroes I looked up to during the 70's. He was the face I would recognize the Bulls from. When I went to games during the Jordon era I would tell my sons about him and he and Bob Love would make their rounds in the boxes and sign autographs. He would take some time during the signings and we will talk about sports. I would catch him downtown and he would still oblige a moment of his time just to talk game. Man, I will truly miss him and I know Chicago will miss this wonderful treasure that was entrusted in him. Our family sends his family our prayers and condolences.

Three years ago I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Norm Van Lier. It was at the United Center for the Bulls' Fan Appreciation Night. I am in my late 50's and I felt really awkward being around all the young athletes. So I sat down at a table and Norm came over to me and introduced himself. He had on a brown hat and a jacket from the Negro Baseball League. We had a great talk as he told me he had been recruited to play baseball when he was young. We talked about all of the great baseball players and our mutual love of the game. At the end of the conversation he asked me if I would take a picture with him which and I was very excited to have a picture with a Bulls legend. He concluded that it was nice talking to a person who was "old school". I purchased this picture from the Bulls website and have it framed at my house. I will always remember meeting this great person.

I'll tell you one thing about Norn Van Lier, he was a REAL person and epitomized the phrase 'just one of the boys'.

Summer 1994, true story; A friend and I had just left a club on Division and State and who do we run into, Norm Van Lier. As most notables can confess, Stormin' was feelin' pretty good that evening/morning. Anyway, he wasn't driving at the time (yep, you guessed it) and was standing at the curb outside E.R.s and we just walked up to the guy and immediately started conversation. Next thing you know we're on our way to South Shore Drive with Norm in tow. Dude was hilarious. I swear I was looking at Fred Sanford in the flesh and I told him so. I do remember asking him who was the toughest to guard and he said he couldn't stay with Randy Smith if "they chained us together". He also mentioned something about Brian Winters being the "dirtiest White Boy this side of the Mississippi", but I don't recall the full conversation. Actually, aside from the aforementioned, all I remember was him talking like Sanford but quoting Eddie Murphy. This guy must have watched Delirious at least 10 times. Goony-goo-goo. I remember that.

What a shame. Cool dude.

For all these years that the Bulls have been terrible disappointing fans year in and year out, we all found solace in Norm Van Lier who would speak the truth about the Bulls and express the feelings that we shared. The players, the coaches, and certainly the management seem to not have cared about winning for a long time. Norm was the one guy associated with the Bulls who did. Now he is gone, and who do we have?

The Bulls had plenty of opportunities to honor Stormin' Normin'. They did not have to retire his number. But Norm always seemed to be left out. The latest example is the Johnny Red Kerr ceremony. Even when the Bulls switched from FSN to CSN, he was left out of the post-game crew initially. There was no appreciation for this man. He played harder than any of the guys currently on the team. Of course no one expected this, but the Bulls should be embarrassed for never showing any appreciation for him. But I personally don't know how much more the Bulls can be embarrassed.

I'd like to second the thoughts from Keith. I never had the opportunity to see Norm play, but I always enjoyed his analysis of the Bulls, most especially during the lean years. He told it like it was, no matter whose feelings he hurt. I was glad that Comcast SportsNet brought him back into the fold, despite not having him as part of the pre/post crew from the start of the channel.

"48 MINUTES OF INTENSITY!" That was what any Bulls fan wanted to see from every player of their team, from the superstar to the last guy on the bench. Bring your all to the court and play to the best of your efforts for the entire game. Norm knew that and he played that way. It was very easy to like this guy, whether you were a Bulls fan or not, because he had that true love of the game that many current players lack.

It was a shame that the Bulls organization did not let Norm be included in Red Kerr's ceremony, despite Kerr's wanting him to be there. It really did get to Norm, as was reported before and after the event. I only hope the Bulls organization realizes what a true ambassador Norm was for them, and most importantly, for the fans. I would like to see them make it up to Norm posthumously by retiring that #2. He meant so much to the fans and to the team that not having that number retired leaves a sour taste in my mouth and many other Bulls fans.

Norm Van Lier brought an artistry to the game as a player that was downright magical. While he could be churlish at times, the beauty of his game was something to remember.

Shame on Jerry Reinsdorf for shutting Van Lier out from the Johnny Kerr ceremony. Van Lier was a Bull through and through. How heart-breaking it must have been to have wanted to pay his respects to Johnny Kerr and be forced to sit out. When petty grievances get in the way of common sense, especially when it comes to loving another person, everybody is a loser. In this case, it is Jerry Reinsdorf.

I never personally met Mr. Van Lier but he had the kind of personality that you felt like you knew him - he connected with people - He kept it real. He will be missed.

good article~

Norm, was a great friend who always made me feel better about myself. I am grateful to have known him. Save me a seat, big guy.

The sports world just lost a special person today. I first met Norm Van Lier when I was 10 years old and had just snuck into the old Chicago Stadium where I watched for four quarters, him and Jerry Sloan beat the hell out of Dave Bing and anyone else that wanted a piece. Right away Norm and Jerry Sloan became idols. He talked to me for over 30 minutes after that game, asking me if I was working on my game, getting good grades the whole shooting match. I kept sneaking into the stadium and after a while the ushers would just let me in after halftime so they could stop chasing me. As times went by we still maintained a friendship and when I went away to Desert Storm I recieved a letter from none other than Norm Van Lier. He said they should have called the War,"Desert Stormin Norman!". Whenever I would get into the city I would try to look him up and usually he could be found downtown livin life to the fullest. He told me he could never really tear himself away from the Bulls because he loved the team. Hated the organization with a passion but he bled Bulls red. He also told me that if there was one person he would go to war with in a heartbeat it would be Jerry Sloan. He absolutely loved Jerry and Red Kerr to death. The Bulls need to do the right thing with him. True he did not score tons of points nor did he average lots of assist. But he drove that team Coached by Dick Motta and he defended like he was guarding Fort Knox. If you talk to any of the oldtimers, they for sure will tell you he was pound for pound the toughest SOB on the court and he didn't back down and didn't take any crap from anyone. The Bulls need to do the right thing and hang his number up by number 4, because those two are synonomous with Bulls Basketball and what it means to play the game the right way. One night on Rush Street I couldn't get him to leave, he was having such a good time talking and drinking, way past last call. Well Stormin Norman, its last call buddy and God Be with you until we meet again!

"Stormin' Norman," along with fellow guard Jerry Sloan defined the hardnosed intensity of the '70s Bulls. He did maintain that intensity as a broadcaster and analyst. He will be greatly missed. God bless you Norm and your family!

I had the great pleasure of knowing Mr. Van Lier when I was an Intern for "Mancow's Morning Madhouse. I'd pass Norm by in the hallways & He always had time to talk or get a quick bite to eat. He was a great person and His honesty was always good to hear; weather a person liked it or not.

To see how Jerry Reinsdorf had Norm shut-out from the Johnny Kerr Ceremony was lower than the dismantling of the Championship team of the 90's. I get You own the Bulls and the building they play in, but who are you to say a man can't come and show his appreciation for a dear friend? Your not God Mr. Reinsdorf. Norm was the main reason I still had any interest in the Bulls because of the passion He had for the game and the Bulls themselves. One would think a person with so much loyalty and passion like Norm would've been treated better by an organization. I can't believe He's gone, Norm will be terribly missed.

I'm A long time Knick fan. I remember#2 Stormin Norman Van Lier, we could never beat that team(little did I know it would get worse with #23,LOL), Bill Bradley couldn't guard either Love or Walker and whoever we put him on destroyed us at the end. I remember admiring the way Norm played ,always hustling,diving for loose balls,his unique way of shooting and he was fearless.He was one of my favorites and as a youngster I tried incorporating his game along with my idol Walt Clyde Frazier into how I played and it was, looking back at it now strange,Norm frenetic, Clyde cool,but they not only played the game, they thought the game. I didn't keep up with Norm after he stopped playing but gasped when I saw the headline that he had passed at the too young age of 61. I googled him and saw some videos of his work on you-tube,him calling out Chris Duhon when he went to a Duke game and overslept and saying the Bulls team that got Scott Skiles canned had the heart of a mustard seed,priceless. So to his family, friends and the people in Chicago,my condolences.

RIP to a Bulls Legend. Stormin' Norm will certainly be missed.

The world just became...
a little less wild
a little less interesting
a little less honest
and, unfortunately,
a little more P.C.

As the former sports editor at a newspaper in East Liverpool, Ohio, that covered Norm during his high school playing days at Midland, Pa. High School, I can tell you that he was the fiery leader of the greatest high school basketball team that I have ever seen. His team finished 29-0 and won the state championship game by almost 30 points. I hadn't spoken with Norm in more than 25 years until a few weeks ago when we connected. It wasn't long until the conversation got back to those high school days. He was still the same cordial, confident and classy person that he had been his whole life.
-- David Burcham

Sad.
Norm was the man and watching him team up with Jerry Sloan to make up the toughest back court in NBA history is what made me a Bulls fan in my youth.
I loved his play and his honesty as a commentator.

I had always hoped that he would become the Bulls head coach some day because he knew the game, cared about how it was played and he cared about the Bulls even through the bad times.

My condolences go out to Mr. Van Lier's Family. I met him only 1 time while I was at a company holiday gathering at Xcalibar and one of my co-workers said look Brandi that is Norm Van Lier and of course being the biggest sports fan (not) said who's that? He gave me a rundown on Mr. Van Lier I looked at my co-worker and said no that is not him so my coworker bet me I would not go up to him and ask his indenity. Of course me to never back down from a bet walked up to this tall friendly looking man and asked are you Norm Van Lier? He said yes he was and talked to me and my co-worker for some time. He was as nice as my blue collar next door neighbor! I'm saddened by his death and will keep his family in my prayers at this difficult time.

Norm was THE man. What a player, what a gentleman. You got it covered, Roman! You know, Norm's style we have taken on, that of being confrontational, but out of a respectful passion for the game and the belief in hard work and not sleazy, self-centered shortcuts.

We first met Norm at a high school basketball shootout. The great Antoine Walker was there as a fan, and Norm came up to us and said, "Read your stuff all the time. You do a great job. Respect the hell out of you. But do not hype this boy (Walker), because if he has homework to do and I find out about it, I'm going to kick his ass all over this gym! You can print that."

Well Norm, may you rest in peace. You have always stood up for what is good and what is right and not been afraid of people being selfish babies when they do not like what you say. Chicago has lost a true legend whose number 2 should be retired now!

Harv and Roy Schmidt
Illinois Prep Bulls-eye

I cannot believe this. I really cannot or don't want to believe this. I didn't know Norm, but I felt like I did. I loved that man and his personality...always telling it like it is! I felt that he would have made a terrific coach in this league and I appreciated his "48 minutes" diatribes. Wow, I just really don't know what to say. Norm, we the fans, will miss you. You were much appreciated and your genius was not lost on us (it may have been lost on the rest of the league...but not us). Rest in peace and God bless your soul.

Norm and his family lived a couple of blocks from us when I grew up in the Western Pennsylvania steel town of Midland. He was part of what to this day - almost 50 years later - is still remembered as a key player on one of the best high school basketball teams to ever play in the state.

Fans of the Lincoln High School WPIAL state champion Leopards know him as the kid who made the pros.

It's been 40 years since I last saw him. He was a good kid. He's missed here in Sixburgh as well as in Chicagoland.

Roman responds: Thanks for sharing.

Rest easy #2

I never met Norm in person,but i would go to the bulls games to see him,and Bob Love,J.Sloan,C.Walker,and the other guys play.I am going to miss Norman,I loved his intensity, (48 minutes).I watch him, every night on comcast sport net.a wonderful young man.my condolences go out to his family,friends,and the whole city of Chicago. Eddie Magee, Brandon,Ms.

VETERAN ACTIVIST MARK ALLEN STARTS CALLS FOR CAMPAIGN TO LOBBY BULLS TO RETIRE NUMBER OF NORM VANLIER

The Chicago Bulls retired the number of Jerry Sloan in part because of his legendary reputation as an aggressive hustler as a player, so today I am calling on the public to lobby The Bulls organization to finally recognize the legendary "Stormin Norman" Van Lier. And if you compare the numbers, it appears that VanLier attributed just as much if not more than Sloan, but they both deserve to have their numbers retired.

Today, I am contacting various sports writers and reporters to begin the discussion on the question of the Bulls retiring the number of Norm VanLier. I am going to start a support group on Facebook, and I am contacting major civic leaders like The Rev. Jesse L. Jackson of The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, Cheryle Jackson of The Chicago Urban League, Mayor Daley , former Bull Bob Love, and other elected and public officials to offer their public support for The Bulls to retire the number of the late and legendary Norm VanLier.

I am glad to have known VanLier personally and professionally. I had the opportunity to work with on a couple of professional projects, and personally we often used to attend nightclubs that featured various Jazz Bands. He was always humble, never seeking recognition, just always there in his Blazer and Blue Jeans. He was a great man personally and a great athlete and I can't imagine why any current or former Basketball players or any athletes or follower of sports that would argue against the Bulls honoring VanLier by retiring his number.

Jerry Reinsdorf called VanLier one of the greatest people to ever wear a Bulls uniform, so in that spirit Reinsdorf should respond positively to the ultimate honor for VanLier by retiring the number of "Stormin Norman." Several years ago, while he was alive, I tried to start a campaign to retire VanLier's number which fell on deaf ears. Maybe this time with VanLier's untimely death, the right people will hear and positively respond to the call to have the Bulls retire the number of Norm VanLier.

Ironic, yet poetic justice. Norm goes out with Johnny Red after all.

I can see these two, arm over each others shoulder, right now.

R.I.P.

There should be no question that Norm Van Lier's number should be retired. Sloan's was retired and Norm was one of the "Bruise Brothers." It's too bad it hadn't been done prior to his passing.

I had the great fortune to have worked with and become friends with Norm. He was the same guy on the air as he was off. He never big-shotted anyone, was a friend to everyone no matter what their status. It's great to hear all of the wonderful stories about him - and how he touched so many people. I hope when my time comes ... that I've been able to have as many personal relationships with so many people. Janitor or CEO, Norm didn't care. As he always used to say, Norm was "good people."

Since I no longer live in the Chicago area and generally read the Sun-Times on-line with my coffee when I first get up, I was greeted this morning by the headline of both Norm and Red's death, I am still in shock. I was lucky enough to have seen Norm play and have wondered many times why Sloan's jersey was retired but not Norm's. Norm was the epitome of hard nosed Bulls basketball. He carried that same attitude over into his analysis of the team political correctness be damned. He didn't care who it was, if you screwed up he pointed it out in his analysis. The unfortunate thing about having to watch the Bulls on the League Pass is that only half the games are announced by the Chicago broadcasters and the other half by the opposing team announcers so I don't always get to see Norm's comments anymore and I have missed that.

Rest In Peace Norm you gave this world a lifetime of INTENSITY!

I was at the opening of WICKED,,and at intermission,I went to the lobby and sitting there was Norm. I introduced myself,and he was gracious and kind and we talked for about 5 minutes about the play,life his playing days,and what I did for a living.

He made me feel welcomed and like a friend he knew for life. I'll never forget that.

Norms straight forward comments and tough criticism of the BULLS is something that I will truly miss.

Edward Severin
ejs@interfacts.com

STORMIN NORM DIED FROM A BROKEN HEART, RIP BIG GUY!

I remember Norm Van Lier from back in the day. He played for the Bulls with Bobby Love and John Mengelt. I think he lived life to the fullest, and liked to party big time. He was a good example for Chicagoans and others throughout the world, as he was a fellow who gave a lot of time to charities and did not play the star thing - he would talk to anyone who came up to him, sign anything, etc. (unlike most famous people). There will never be anything like him as far as I'm concerned. I didn't know he was sick. Let's remember him on Rush St. tonight.

Yes Roman, that is a rare quality....P.C. is B.S.

I'll definitely miss listening to him..

I'M FIFTY YEARS OLD. I'M ALSO A OLD SCHOOL BULLS FANS. NORM VAN LIER WAS MY MJ BEFORE THERE WAS A MJ. MY MEMORIES OF NORM WAS AT A BASKETBALL CAMP AT AURORA COLLEGE MANY YEARS AGO.HE WAS MY COACH AT THAT CAMP.HE WAS INTENSE THERE AS HE WAS ON THE COURT. HIS COACHING HELP ME WIN BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER THAT WEEK. ANOTHER MEMORY OF NORM WAS WHEN HE GRABED SIDNEY WICKS BY HIS HAIR AND WHIPPED HIM TO THE BENCH. THAT WAS NORM. I'VE LOST A FRIEND AND SO HAS CHICAGO.

"ANOTHER MEMORY OF NORM WAS WHEN HE GRABED SIDNEY WICKS BY HIS HAIR AND WHIPPED HIM TO THE BENCH. THAT WAS NORM. I'VE LOST A FRIEND AND SO HAS CHICAGO."

Is that how Sidney lost all his hair?

Anyone know the cause of death for Norm?

Curious, because to the best of my knowledge it has yet to be ascertained.

Johnny Red Kerr and Norm Van Lier will be sorely missed. I didn't see Red play, but I did see him on tv telling what he felt about his Bulls. I love the way Red reacted when a bad call would go against the Bulls, He is Mr. Bull in my book. Red is family and he will be missed. I saw Stormin' Norm play in the old staduim along with Chet the Jet, Bob Butterbean Love, Jerry Sloan,etc. They were and is my childhood heros, every kid on my block on the westside wanted to be like Stormin' Norm the way he played defense. Norm van Lier number should be retired. Two Chicago Greats is gone, GOD bless the Kerr and Van Lier family.

I was lucky. I attended college with Norm and have the best memories of those days...picking up the dorm phone and hearing "This is the Van, what's the plan?" Or attending the end of the season party where Norm made his famous brew with wood alchohol and grape juice. Or watching him on the court in college, and later, in the pros, working 250% every night. When Kevin Porter came to St. Francis, the first scrimmage, he wiped the floor with Norm. Never, ever again...and their first NBA game together, Norm gave Kevin quite the "welcome." It wasn't unusual to pass the gym late at night, when we were all out partying, and there were lights on and Norman was there til all hours, working hard and perfecting his game. Nobody worked harder than Norm. I was even luckier to call him "friend." Oh, how he loved my spaghetti sauce back then. When Norm came back to campus to visit, everyone knew that car the minute it hit town...and the bets would fly on how many speeding tix he'd gotten on the way. (I think the record was five.) If you didn't want the truth, you didn't ask Norm his opinion, because he was honest and blunt to a fault. He was loyal to a fault, too. Once a friend, always a friend. He lived life in the now and hid his extreme sensitivity from all but his closest friends. An extraordinary player, an extraordinary man...a strong man, a gentle man. I'm glad our college welcomed him into the Hall of Fame several years ago. The Bulls should have retired his jersey decades ago. Norm Van Lier was a precious one-of-a-kind whose time with us was way too short. Enjoy the endless basketball among the clouds, my old friend...see ya when the time comes!

I worked with Norm in the late eighties in Los Angeles, at of all things a car lot where we sold Rolls Royce, Jaguar, and Range Rover. He wasn't too good at it, but he did keep at it for a year while he got his act together and tried to put his wife at the time through acting school. He always said that he would have been a great salesman if he had done it in Chicago. Lots more people knew him there,ya know?
When he first got there he would put on his grubbies and go down to the ball court where the U.C.L.A. players played pickup games. They didn't know who he was at first, and someone would always choose him as a last resort to fill out a team. At 41 He didn't look like a pro player and you could tell that they really didn't think he could play.
We really enjoyed watching as their jaws dropped to the floor when he turned up his game. Norm had a lot of fun at almost everything he did and he was a good guy.
He took a few of us co-workers to a couple of comped Laker games and it was a real thrill when he introduced us to the Lakers down on the sidelines. I never knew they were so tall, but as small as he was in comparison to Abdul-Jabbar, he was a pretty big man to us.
I haven't seen him in about twenty years, but the memories are still strong. Sadly it's gonna be a little less interesting world without Norm in it.

I did not know Norm personally howeve I knew his work as a Basketball player! He was a"denfensive artist on the basketball court" and could play with the best of them. He and Sloan togeather made a great team in the back court. They would not back down from anyone and played hard every night. I suspect that is what is missing for me as a spectator now. The cureent players don't come to play every night! Oh a few of the great ones do, but how many great ones do you have now! The old school b-ball may not have been as Athletic as the game is today, but man they played ever night with passion. Norm was right at the top whether he had to guard Walt Fraizer on night or Dave Bing the next night he was up in their chest and and Jerry Sloan as well I loved watching thoes two guys. Jerry Reinsdorf should be shamed of himself! He needs put aside his personal feeling and retire Norm #2 jersy that would be the proper thing to do! Michale Jordan and Jerry Sloan Chet Walker, Bob Love,Scottie Pippen, John Paxton, Stev Kerr all should come togeather and put presure on Reinsdorf and peitition the Bulls, until they honor Norm VanLeir properly! We will miss you Norm and My deepest condolances goes out to the Van Leir family.

All these commments here and on other posts all over the country have one thing in common, Norman was a celebrity who loved people in general. So refreshing to see a person who interacts with the common people so easily. We are not going to see his kind very often. Thank you Norman "Ookie" Van Lier for being a friend to all of the peoples lives you toched in one way or another. Proud to have known him and proud to be from his hometown, Midland,Pa.

Ookie, as we all knew you from back home(East Liverpool-Midland) you'll be sadly missed, but never ever forgotten by all of the people back home. You shined in our eyes and made us proud to say that " yeah we know him." You will be a forever star and may all of the family (Ms Helen, with your beautiful hair)you have my deepest heart felt sympathy.God Bless.