Norm Cooper - Biography
Norm Cooper covered news, sports, and special events in Union County for nearly two decades, part of a journalism career that has spanned over four decades. He currently publishes a magazine in the area. Radio experience in four markets includes news shows, sports reports, and commentary. He is a published author and has been in movies and television shows. Norm finds time to be an active community volunteer. His journalism career has been a rewarding adventure -- from high school sports to being in the locker room when his "favorite team" Atlanta Braves celebrated championships to county government meetings in a small community and exclusive interviews with the governor of the state.
Norm has awards from the National Newspaper Association, Magazine Association of the Southeast, Georgia Press Association, Georgia Sports Writers Association, and many organizations. He has more than two dozen photography awards. Norm is Union County's most award winning journalist, winning more awards than all newspaper people in the history of the county combined. He is the only multi-media award winner with both newspaper and magazine. See the awards page for a detailed list.
More than two dozen movie and television appearances have included 42, Jackie Robinson Story; Necessary Roughness; Rectify, Halt and Catch Fire, The Haves and Have Nots; Captain Amercia, Medeas Christmas, and Selma.
Norm has experienced several special honors. The Atlanta Braves presented Norm with a “Community Leader Award”. The Georgia School Boards Association presented him with the “Beacon Award”.
Community involvement has included the American Red Cross, Tri-State Drug Free Community, Union County Anti-Drug Coalition, North Georgia Technical College Adult Education Advisory Board, Union County Historical Society, Ninth District Opportunity Board, and others. Norm serves as the race director of the Blairsville 5K Run and Walk. He participates in many annual festivals in North Georgia where he pleases the local crowds and tourists with black powder muzzleloading rifle demonstrations. Norm also offers hands-on participation for all ages with his "hand-ax throwing at wooden target" activities.
Observations, Union County 2000-2012, and Where To From Here are books authored by Norm. He is also the facilitator of two history books about Union County.