Marguerite Norris
Marguerite Norris | |
---|---|
Born | February 16, 1927 |
Died | May 12, 1994 | (aged 67)
Education | Smith College |
Occupation(s) | Sports team owner and executive |
Board member of | Detroit Red Wings |
Spouse |
John J. Riker (m. 1960) |
Parent | James E. Norris |
Relatives | James D. Norris (brother) Bruce Norris (brother) |
Marguerite Ann Norris (February 16, 1927 – May 12, 1994), also known as Marguerite Riker[1] or Marguerite Norris-Riker,[2] was an American ice hockey executive. She was the first female team executive in National Hockey League (NHL) history.
Early life and education
Norris was born to James E. Norris in 1927 and was the sister of Bruce and James D. Norris.[3][4] As the youngest sibling of four, she was often made the goaltender for her brothers to practice.[5] Norris was educated at Smith College[6] and worked for West Farm Management and Dun & Bradstreet.[7]
Hockey career
Norris became president of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League (NHL) after her father James E. Norris died in 1952, making her the first female chief executive in the history of the league.[8] General Manager Jack Adams announced that Norris was selected by her father prior to his death to succeed him as president.[9] In her first meeting with the press, she was surrounded by hockey reporters, fashion reporters, and photographers.[10] Prior to Norris' first game with the Red Wings against the Montreal Canadiens, Maurice Richard made an exception to his usual rule of "fraternizing with the enemy" to present her with flowers. It was later reported this angered him so much he took six minor penalties in the first period.[11]
Shortly after her takeover, reports emerged that the arena was cleaner, freshly painted, and a wire screen was in place to protect fans from flying pucks.[12] Norris also advocated for arenas to be more female fan friendly and for all farm teams to be equally treated across the system.[13]
During her tenure with the Red Wings, she saw the team win the Stanley Cup in both the 1954 and 1955 seasons, making her the first woman to have her name engraved on the Stanley Cup.[5] However, despite her success, she still experienced discrimination based on her gender. Conn Smythe forbade Norris from sitting on the Board of Governors although she secretly voted through Jack Adams using hand gestures.[14] She also butted heads with Adams who insisted on referring to her as "dearie."[15] After the championship 1955 season, Norris was succeeded as president by her brother Bruce and became the teams Vice President.[16] She stepped down as president to focus on her business in New York City.[17] As Vice President, the Norris siblings donated $300, 000 to fund the James Norris Physical Education Center at Lake Superior State University.[18]
Despite her short tenure, she was inducted into the Red Wings Hall of Fame in 1976 alongside Jimmy Skinner and Tommy Ivan.[19]
Personal life
Norris married her husband John J. Riker on October 26, 1960 in New York.[20] Together, they had four children; two daughters and two sons.[21] Norris and Riker co-owned The Westenhook Farm in Southbury, Connecticut.[22]
She died in 1994 at age 67 at her home in Southbury, Connecticut due to heart failure.[21]
External links
References
- ^ James P. Quirk; Rodney D. Fort. Pay Dirt: The Business of Professional Team Sports. Princeton University Press. p. 37. ISBN 0-691-04255-1.
- ^ "Norris, Bruce -- Biography -- Honoured Builder -- Legends of Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame. Retrieved November 22, 2015.
- ^ David Forlow; Wayne Rethford (April 13, 2020). Scots of Chicago's North Shore. Arcadia Publishing. p. 80. ISBN 9781467104302. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "Marguerite Norris, Hockey Team President, 67". The New York Times. May 14, 1994. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ a b Duff, Bob (March 24, 2019). "Norris was first woman to have her name inscribed on the Stanley Cup". nhl.com. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "Ex-Red Wing official won praise". Detroit Free Press. May 13, 1994. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Norris' Daughter Wings' New President". Detroit Free President. December 14, 1952. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Madam President Looks Right for Her Part". Detroit Free Press. December 16, 1952. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marguerite Ann Norris Names President of the Detroit Red Wings". La Crosse Sunday Tribune. Wisconsin, La Crosse. December 14, 1952.
- ^ The Red Kelly Story. ECW Press. October 11, 2016. p. 100. ISBN 9781770909328. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ "Rocket's Glare". St Louis Sporting News. St Louis. January 24, 1976.
- ^ Falls, Joe (January 15, 1954). "Feminine Touch Gives Detroit Rink New Look". Hagerstown, Morning Herald. Maryland.
- ^ Conway, Jennifer (December 1, 2017). "Hockey Time Machine: The Hall of Fame case for Marguerite Norris, NHL's 'first lady of hockey'". sportingnews.com. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ McKinley, Michael (2009). Hockey: A People's History. McClelland & Stewart. p. 158. ISBN 9780771057717. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Bennett, Dean (April 3, 2017). "NHL 100: Women have played key roles in hockey over the last century". National Post. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
- ^ "Marguerite Norris Will Quit As Hockey Chief". Terre Haute Tribune. Indiana. October 27, 1955.
- ^ "Switch posts at Wings desk". Medicine Hat News. Alberta. October 27, 1955.
- ^ "Norris gives $300, 000 gift to LSSC ice". Sault Ste Marie Evening News. Michigan, Sault Ste Marie. March 6, 1974.
- ^ "Hall of Fame". Naugatuck Daily News. Connecticut, Naugatuck. November 18, 1976.
- ^ "Toasting the Bride". Corpus Christi Times. Texas. October 26, 1960.
- ^ a b "FEMALE NHL PIONEER NORRIS DIES". Chicago Tribune. May 15, 1994. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
- ^ Josh Barbanel (August 6, 2014). "Striking a Deal at Old Westenhook Farm". Wall Street Journal. Retrieved November 22, 2015.