One School, Two Brothers, Lifelong Lessons
From the fields and classrooms of South Otselic to careers in coaching, business, military service, and community leadership, brothers Norm and Del Law represent the enduring impact of rural education and school pride. Graduating in the mid-1950s, they experienced a close-knit school community where athletics, academics, and personal responsibility shaped students’ futures. Their stories illustrate how South Otselic prepared students for success far beyond graduation, while instilling values that guided them throughout their lives.
Growing Up in South Otselic
Norm and Del Law grew up in a small rural community where school life was closely tied to family responsibilities and community connections. Del recalled that classes were small, only 14 students in the Class of 1955, and that daily life included farm chores before and after school. Norm described a similar experience, noting that his class of 1956 graduated just 16 students and that friendships, teammates, and teachers played an important role in his school experience.
They grew up in a family of five brothers -- Ted, Bob, Leonard, Delmar, and Norm, from oldest to youngest -- many of whom were active in South Otselic athletics. Basketball became a shared passion that helped shape their school experiences and future paths. (Note: Del and Norm were the only brothers available for interviewing.) For Del and Norm, South Otselic was more than a school -- it was a community where students were known, supported, and encouraged to succeed.
Athletics, Teamwork, and OV Pride
Athletics played a central role in the Law brothers’ lives at South Otselic. Del participated in varsity basketball and baseball, crediting sports with building confidence, teamwork, and character. Norm described athletics as the motivation that carried him through high school and helped him manage his time and responsibilities.
The community followed school sports closely, and games brought families and neighbors together. Norm recalled that the town supported the teams wholeheartedly, creating a shared sense of pride and competitiveness that strengthened school spirit.
This footage reflects the film quality of the era and offers a rare glimpse into South Otselic athletics in the 1950s. Thank you to Del Law for sharing this piece of history!
“Athletics is what kept me going. It helped with time management and got me through high school.” - Norm Law
Teachers and Mentors Who Made a Difference
Both brothers reflected on the teachers and coaches who played an important role in shaping their academic paths and personal growth. Del credited science teacher Mr. Caprio, history teacher June Cole, and Coach Ambrose Cook with setting high expectations and helping to build character through athletics. Norm likewise pointed to June Cole’s guidance in encouraging his college aspirations, along with the influence of Harry Balmer and Coach Cook, who taught him how to compete, and how to win and lose with integrity.
From the Farm to the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame: Norm Law's Journey
Norm Law’s passion for basketball began long before organized teams and gymnasiums. Growing up on a farm, he and his family built a makeshift basketball hoop in their barn, using a wooden crate and a burlap sack stuffed with rags as a ball. That barn became his first training ground. Norm played four years of varsity basketball at South Otselic, went on to play college basketball, and later began a coaching career that spanned decades.
Norm genuinely enjoyed going to school and being with his friends, and he looked forward to practices and games after school during each sports season. During his high school years, his family’s house and barn were destroyed in a fire, forcing Norm to live with a family across the street from the school. For a year and a half, he worked on their farm in exchange for room and board, earning $12.00 per week. Though difficult at times, Norm viewed it as part of the life he had grown up knowing, one shaped by hard work, responsibility, and perseverance. At South Otselic High School, Norm was a natural leader both on and off the court. He served as class president for three years and played four years of varsity basketball. He was deeply proud of South Otselic High School, his teammates, and his coaches. During his high school career, the basketball program made remarkable progress -- going from an 0-18 record his freshman year to competing in sectional play for the following three seasons.
“My philosophy was discipline, hard work, teamwork, and determination.” - Norm Law
Community support played a powerful role in that transformation. Norm recalls that his father never missed a home game and that the South Otselic community stood firmly behind the team. That collective support helped foster a growing sense of pride and competitiveness, not just among the players, but throughout the town itself. Several educators and coaches left a lasting impact on Norm’s life. Ambrose Cook, his physical education teacher and varsity basketball and baseball coach, taught him how to be a competitor and how to win and lose with character. In addition to Coach Cook, Norm credits Harry Balmer and history teacher June Cole, who believed in him and played a key role in helping him navigate the college application process.
After high school, Norm went on to play college basketball before beginning a coaching career that spanned decades. He began coaching junior high basketball in 1960, a commitment that grew into a career spanning more than three decades. He coached junior high, junior varsity, and varsity teams before becoming head men’s basketball coach at Plattsburgh State University, where he led the team from 1969 to 1986. Under his leadership, the team earned conference titles and reached the NCAA Division III semifinals. He later served as an assistant coach at the University of Pittsburgh, contributing to multiple NCAA tournament appearances.
Looking back, Norm often reflects that South Otselic, along with the encouragement of his family, taught him the importance of hard work, perseverance, pursuing one’s interests, and valuing family, lessons he carried into both his coaching career and his personal life. In 2021, Norm Law was inducted into the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his coaching career and impact on collegiate basketball.
Del Law: Education, Service, and Community Leadership
Del Law graduated from South Otselic High School in 1955, as part of a very small class, just fourteen students, where expectations were high and everyone was known by name. Growing up on a farm, Del and his family balanced school with daily chores before and after classes, riding the school bus in and out each day. With three older brothers already in the school, he felt a strong sense of responsibility to do well and carry on the family’s reputation.
School life at South Otselic was close-knit and demanding. A small faculty taught multiple subjects, and students were expected to rise to the challenge. Del recalls that classes generally came easily to him, except for history, where teacher June Cole worked tirelessly to keep both Del and his brother Norm on track. That persistence, along with high expectations from teachers like science instructor Mr. Caprio, helped shape Del’s approach to learning and preparation. He would later realize just how valuable those lessons were when he entered college, where larger classes and tougher competition required discipline and strong study habits.
Athletics played a central role in Del’s high school experience. He participated in varsity basketball and baseball, sports that helped him build confidence, teamwork, and character. Representing South Otselic in competition mattered deeply to him, and he remembers the pride that came with the teams’ regular successes. Coaches, especially Ambrose Cook, emphasized not only skill development but character, helping student-athletes understand the importance of effort, accountability, and teamwork. Sports also brought the wider community together. Del recalls that parents and families closely followed the teams, with a large portion of the community attending games and sharing in their success. That collective support reinforced the bond between the school and the town, strengthening a shared sense of pride.
After graduating, Del pursued higher education, initially studying agricultural economics before transitioning into business, a path that aligned with his long-term goals. He went on to serve in the United States Army, including 13 months in Korea, before beginning a 36-year career with Procter & Gamble (formerly Norwich Pharmacal Company and Norwich Eaton Pharmaceuticals) in Norwich, New York. Over the course of his career, Del advanced steadily, eventually becoming Director of Purchasing, a role that reflected both his leadership abilities and commitment to excellence.
“A lifelong advocate for education, culture, and community history.” - Chenango County Historical Society
Despite professional success, Del remained deeply connected to education and community life. He gave back through decades of service, including roles as a school board member, Little League coach, marching band booster, and president of the Otselic Valley Lillian Thompson Scholarship Fund. His commitment extended to regional and cultural organizations as well, with board service for the Chenango County Historical Society, the Earlville Opera House, and the Sherburne-Earlville Central School District Board of Education. Del’s dedication to preserving local history was formally recognized in 2002, when a Procter & Gamble grant in his honor supported the Chenango County Historical Society’s Paperback Book Exchange and technology initiatives. In 2021, he was further honored on Chenango County’s Heritage “Wall of Honor,” recognizing a lifetime of service to family, education, and community.
When Del reflects on South Otselic today, much has changed, especially technology, but the school’s rural character and commitment to opportunity remain familiar. His memories of OV are overwhelmingly positive, shaped by education, athletics, teamwork, and a shared commitment to doing one’s best. Looking back, Del considers himself fortunate: a strong student, an athlete, and one of several brothers who found success together -- lessons learned early, and carried forward throughout a life of service.
Lessons Beyond the Classroom
Reflecting on their time at South Otselic, both brothers emphasized the lessons that extended beyond academics and athletics. Confidence, character, teamwork, perseverance, and responsibility were values they carried into college, careers, and community leadership. Norm applied these lessons throughout his coaching career, while Del carried them into business leadership, military service, and community involvement.
Then and Now: Reflections on OV
When looking at Otselic Valley today, Del noted the advances in technology, facilities, and communication, while recognizing that the school continues to provide opportunities for rural students. Norm expressed pride in the school’s history and the role it played in shaping his life.
“Living on a farm, we didn’t have a rim or a ball … that barn is where I learned to compete.” - Norm Law
Norm and Del Law’s journeys, from a small rural school in South Otselic to leadership in athletics, business, and community service, reflect the lasting impact of Otselic Valley’s educational foundation. Their stories illustrate how OV Pride was built not only through school spirit and teamwork, but through the values that prepared students for lifelong success. From the classroom to the court, from the farm to the Hall of Fame to community leaders, the lessons learned at South Otselic continue to shape lives and communities -- then and now.
We extend our sincere thanks to Norm and Del Law and their families for generously sharing their time, memories, photographs, and archival video. We are especially grateful to Marni Manwarren for facilitating communication and coordinating materials and responses.
Sources for this segment include:
- Law, Delmar. Interview Questionnaire for Otselic Valley Historical Series, 2026
- Law, Norm. Interview Questionnaire for Otselic Valley Historical Series, 2026.
- Law, Norm. New York State Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Speech Transcript, 2021. Norm Law Upstate NY Basketball
- Chenango County Historical Society. “Law and Windsor to be Recognized on Chenango’s Heritage Wall of Honor.” June 14, 2021.
- Antonowicz, John. “A Rare Look Into the Museum’s Archives.” The Evening Sun, June 28, 2012.
- Plattsburgh State Athletics. “Former Head Men’s Basketball Coach Norm Law Inducted into New York State Basketball Hall of Fame.” October 25, 2021.
- Centralian Yearbooks (???), Otselic Valley Central School Archives
- Significant contributions from local historian Mike Shuman