Hall of Fame
Norris “Scooter” Hale was a Beatrice native and graduated from Peru State in 1951. While a Bobcat, Hale participated in track with his main event being the 880 yard run. In addition, he served as the Sports Editor of the Pedagogian.
Hale gained his notoriety after graduating from the College as he was a very successful high school football and track and field coach.
He coached football for 41 years while compiling a 252-132-7 record. As of 2000, that mark was the seventh-best in Iowa history. Hale’s teams racked up 15 conference/district championships in a 25-year span. In addition, he coached track and field for 25 years and had one state championship in 1986 and several individual state winners over the years.
Hale was also considered as a master organizer of coaching clinics which he set up for quarterbacks, kickers, and punters. Also, he established and produced the Iowa Football Coaches’ booklet summarizing the years of football in the state.
Due to his remarkable efforts, Hale has numerous coaching awards. They include 21 Coach of the Year Honors at the conference/district level. He also was inducted into the Iowa Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1982. Hale’s other awards included Iowa Football Coaches Distinguished Service Award (1992), the Gatorade Coaches Care Award (1992), and the Iowa High School Athletic Association News Media Award (1997).
Hale is being inducted posthumously into the Peru State Athletic Hall of Fame.
