MARBLEHEAD — Friends, family, former athletes, and community members gathered once again for a heartfelt celebration in honor of Todd Norman, a beloved coach and town figure whose legacy continues to inspire through the annual Todd Scholarship Fund event.
The event was held at the VFW Post 2005. After Norman died suddenly last April, the Scholarship Fund was created to help raise money for deserving students’ education.
“This event is about bringing people together, people who knew Todd and even those who didn’t, just to celebrate what he meant to this town,” said organizer Claudette Mason. “We’re here to raise as much money as we can for his scholarship. That’s what Todd would’ve done for any one of us.”
Now in its second year, the Todd Scholarship Fund has already helped two local students pursue their dreams — one entering the trades, and the other pursuing business studies with an athletic background. The scholarship is designed to reflect Todd’s diverse passions, supporting both student-athletes and those entering the trades, said Jennifer Norman, Todd’s wife.
“There’s a real misconception that students in towns like ours don’t need help,” Mason said. “But as a single mom, I know how important scholarships can be. Todd gave so much to the kids in this town, and now we get to give back in his name.”
Norman said, “He gave so much to this town, and he loved this town so much, I would love to see this scholarship continue in his legacy.”
Highlights from the event included live music from Gus Percy, a longtime family friend of Todd’s, who performed for the second year in a row, even donating all of his tips to the fund, said Mason. Percy’s family, owners of Three Cod Tavern, also contributed donations and raffle prizes.
Local businesses turned out in full support, with gift baskets and items donated from Marblehead Mailboxes, Marblehead Custom Jewelry, The Three Cod, Shubie’s, and more.
“It’s really amazing how the whole community steps up,” Mason said. “Everyone we reached out to said yes. Everyone wanted to be part of this.”
The Marblehead High girls’ softball team, many of whom Todd coached, was in attendance, joined by new team members who wanted to honor his legacy. “Even the ones he didn’t coach wanted to help,” Mason said. “That tells you the kind of person he was — the kind of impact he had.”
“Todd was the kind of guy who gave his all to this town,” said Ashley Mortensen, a Marblehead High softball player and one of several teens volunteering at the event. “We’re here today because we love him as a coach, as a person. We miss him dearly, and this is one way we keep his memory alive,” said teammate Tessa Andriano.
“He’s still bringing people together,” Hailey Schmitt said, another Marblehead softball player.
Judd Percy echoed the sentiment. “He coached us in football for years,” Percy said. “He was great, he was an amazing guy.”
Mike Hull, commissioner of the Marblehead Light Commission, said, “This is a great celebration and fundraiser for a great man.”
“We are here to support Todd, he was an awesome, awesome, guy,” a friend of Norman’s, Sam Conti said.
“He was a good friend of my dad’s, and he was always so loving to me and my family,” Ashley Nye said.
Even though the event is still relatively new, organizers are already looking to the future. “We want this to grow every year — bigger, better, more impact,” said Mason. “Todd would’ve done the same for someone else, and that’s why we keep coming back.”
The scholarship committee is currently reviewing applications, which include essays and require involvement in athletics or trades. Organizers hope to double the amount raised last year and say they’ll share final totals soon.
“We’re just trying to carry forward what Todd stood for,” Mason said. “The love he had for this town, for these kids — you see it all around you today. It’s in every raffle basket, every song played, every handshake and hug. We’re here for him,” a friend of Norman’s, Sam Conti, said.
“I feel very blessed that the Norman family allows us to do this,” VFW Commander Ronny Knight said.
Knight said the planning committee put a lot of effort and love into setting up the event.
“I was Josh McDaniels and the planning committee were all Tom Bradys’,” he said.
“So many people came together to make this happen,” he said. Despite the weather, “Many young parents brought their kids and there was a good turnout.”
Knight said one story that really stood out to him was one family who was there did not know Norman personally but “everything on social media and everything published in the papers, really showed us how good of a guy he was, and we wanted to show our kids that,” Knight said the family told him.
Knight added that he really appreciated the support of the neighbors of the VFW in supporting the event as well, “their participation is really important too.”
As the music played on and the crowd continued to grow, one thing was clear: Todd’s legacy lives on, not just in the scholarships awarded but in the spirit of a town that continues to rally around one of its own.
