introduced himself and we just formed a relationship. We became very close. He was doing turkey drives and sponsoring young kids to go to tournaments. He became family to me and my wife,” said Vaccaro. Oliver created a girl’s league, and leagues for younger kids and the league continued to grow. Some of the players went on to the NBA. “Sonny was instrumental in getting donations started. The league got bigger by just word of mouth,”” said Oliver’s childhood friend Tyrone Williams. “We never charged any kid. Coaches volunteered. Some players became professional and played ball in the NBA like AJ English and Elena Delle from the WNBA. One year the tournament fed 6,000 people.” But Oliver wasn’t finished yet. His next turn would be towards politics. He persisted in asking former Wilmington mayor Dan
Frawley for a job after college. He called him repeatedly. And consistently. “I ran into him one day because Wilmington is not that big and he told me he would give me a job,” remembers Oliver. “I didn’t think he remembered me, but he did. He gave me a job as an intern and eventually encouraged me to run for political office even though I thought I was too young,” said Oliver. After Democratic chairman Leo Marshall died, Oliver ran against more established white candidates and won. “He led the Democratic party, he was one of those guys who didn’t forget where he came from,” said Williams. “I am impressed with him he always has great energy. He’s always thinking positive. He tries to arouse people to look
at themselves, that’s what I like about him,” said John Carlos, world renowned Olympic track star and activist, who has become one of Oliver’s best friends.” Oliver’s list of friends would rival any celebrity phone book. He’s close to former U.S. President Joe Biden, and presidents of colleges, corporations, lawyers, doctors, will pick up the phone for him. And he’s his authentic self with all of them, often talking smack with Biden. As far as philanthropy, he’s continued his turkey giveaways during the holidays - $5,000 a year –on his own with a truck. He’s donated $200,000 to Delaware State University and created scholarships for students at Delaware State and with the United Way. “Norman is a giver and because of that he has been blessed and will continue to be blessed
in his legacy that will reach much further than the state of Delaware,” said Wooley. “Stormin’ Norman was always genuine; he was always ahead of the curve. He’s a standout. He’s thinking before people wake up. He’s a fun-loving guy, a free spirit, but he always gets at the truth of things,” said Carlos. He knows how to talk to people and find the truth.” And through it all, Oliver credits much of his grounding and strength to the women who stood by him. “I also would like to thank two women who played a major role in my adult life, my first wife, Margaret Oliver, who passed away ten years ago of breast cancer, and my wife, T. Lynn Oliver, the pastor of NTG Church located at 6755 Fielder Road in Rex, Georgia.”
3 9 | HBCU TIMES SUMMER ISSUE 2025
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