Mr. Norman Lee Phillips a 1990 inductee into the El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame passed away today, May 25, 2022, at the age of 92. Mr. Phillips was active even after retirement in volunteering with his daughter Kim Phillips Gomez at Hanks High School where she is the Head Girls Track Coach.
Dr. Scott Stein, current Hall of Fame President and a 2014 Hall inductee said “The El Paso Athletic Hall of Fame is so sad to hear about the passing of Coach Phillips. He was an incredible coach and mentor to so many athletes and touched so many lives.”
Mr. Phillips was a football and track and field standout at Borger High School before attending then named West Texas State. Upon graduating college, he coached in the southwest for 11 years, and among his athletes was legendary Olympic Shot -Put Champion Randy Matson the first 70 ft. shot putter in Texas.
Mr. Phillips taught hundreds of track and field athletes while amassing his legendary career in El Paso, Texas starting in 1965 at Irvin High School. One of those was Ed Stansbury a 2015 inductee into the Hall. Stansbury said, “I am upset and saddened to hear the passing of legendary Irvin Coach Norman Phillips. I will be forever grateful to him for nominating me for the distinguished honor of being in the Hall. Although he is no longer with us, there is no doubt his impact at Irvin and across El Paso will live on. My condolences to his family and all that he has influenced. Rest in Peace Coach and Thank You!”
Dr. Scott Stein, PresidentEl Paso Athletic Hall of Fame