https://www.d3football.com en-us https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2025/luther-chris-norton-perseveres-making-lives-better Fifteen years ago, Luther football player Chris Norton was paralyzed in an on-field injury, and was given little chance of ever regaining feeling from the neck down. But Norton, 33, is now a motivational speaker and leads a foundation to help people with spinal cord and neuromuscular disabilities. Glen Crevier has more in a D3football feature. Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/features/2025/luther-chris-norton-perseveres-making-lives-better https://www.d3football.com/notables/2021/12/luther-hires-st-olaf-assistant The Norse, looking for their first win since 2019, tabbed Oles defensive coordinator Joe Troche. Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2021/12/luther-hires-st-olaf-assistant https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/01/luther-promotes-from-within Caleb Padilla, who has been the defensive coordinator for the Norse football program the past three years, has been promoted to head coach, replacing Aaron Hafner. Mon, 01 Jan 2018 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2018/01/luther-promotes-from-within https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/12/hafner-leaves-luther-winning-track Aaron Hafner coached Luther to its best record since 2005, but will be leaving for a position closer to home. Thu, 28 Dec 2017 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/12/hafner-leaves-luther-winning-track https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/09/week4-wrapup Grove City won for the first time since 2013, while Luther handed Dubuque its first loss. Plus more teams remain undefeated through Week 4. More in Saturday's roundup. Sat, 23 Sep 2017 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/09/week4-wrapup https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/09/week2-wrapup Luther opened its blue turf with a big win, while several playoff hopefuls (Hobart, Hope, Stevenson and more) avoided going 0-2 to open the season. More in the Week 2 wrapup. Sat, 09 Sep 2017 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2017/09/week2-wrapup https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/07/nebraska-wesleyan-gives-up-naia-status-joins-iiac NWU hasn't played a Division III opponent in football since 2002 but will jump back in in full force in the fall of 2016 when the Prairie Wolves join the Iowa Conference. Mon, 20 Jul 2015 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/07/nebraska-wesleyan-gives-up-naia-status-joins-iiac https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/05/chris-norton-walks-graduation Former Luther football player Chris Norton suffered an injury in 2010, after which doctors said there was just a 3% chance he would regain any feeling below his neck. But his inspiring story continues as he walked at graduation. Sat, 30 May 2015 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2015/05/chris-norton-walks-graduation https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/201410058xrz2s JJ Sirios Rushed For a Career High 224 Yards Leading Luther to its First 4-0 Start Since 1987 Sat, 04 Oct 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/201410058xrz2s https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005ynzzsq JJ Sirios Rushed For a Career High 224 Yards Leading Luther to its First 4-0 Start Since 1987 Sat, 04 Oct 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005ynzzsq https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005hvzdsk Luther Never Threw a Pass - Rushed for School Record 579 Yards Sat, 20 Sep 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005hvzdsk https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005ahcmxt Luther Off to 2-0 Start Sat, 13 Sep 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005ahcmxt https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005wgq31u Three Norse Rush for Over 100 Yards Sat, 06 Sep 2014 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/seasons/2014/contrib/20141005wgq31u https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/west/2013/luther-chris-norton-recovery-continues Luther football player Chris Norton suffered a spinal cord injury in a game in October 2010. Given just a 3 percent chance to regain use of arms and legs, Norton has worked constantly and is now giving back. Tue, 17 Sep 2013 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/west/2013/luther-chris-norton-recovery-continues https://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/01/Luther-hires-William-Penn-coordinator Aaron Hafner takes over at Luther after seven years as offensive coordinator at NAIA William Penn. Thu, 31 Jan 2013 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2013/01/Luther-hires-William-Penn-coordinator https://www.d3football.com/notables/2012/11/durnin-resigns-after-winless-season The Norse were 0-10 this season under Mike Durnin and have lost 11 consecutive games. Luther was 18-32 (.360) in his five seasons. Wed, 28 Nov 2012 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2012/11/durnin-resigns-after-winless-season https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/09/chris-norton-returns Luther freshman Chris Norton was given a 3% chance of regaining use of anything below his neck after getting injured last fall, on the same day that Rutgers' Eric LeGrand suffered a similar injury. Norton was back, however, for Luther's home opener, and spoke with D3football.com. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/09/chris-norton-returns https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/09/chris-norton-returns-link He was given a 3% chance of regaining use of anything below his neck after getting injured last fall, the same day that Rutgers' Eric LeGrand suffered a similar injury. Norton was back, however, for Luther's home opener, and D3football.com was there. Mon, 12 Sep 2011 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/09/chris-norton-returns-link https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/03/chris-norton-update Luther freshman Chris Norton suffered a severe spinal cord injury in a game last October, but he's been working hard to learn to walk again. WHO-TV visited Norton in the Mayo Clinic. Watch. Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2011/03/chris-norton-update https://www.d3football.com/notables/2010/10/link-to-chris-norton Luther freshman Chris Norton (16) suffered a broken neck and spinal cord injury in the Norse's game Saturday. A new website and beneficiary account have been set up to help defray his medical costs. Tue, 19 Oct 2010 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2010/10/link-to-chris-norton https://www.d3football.com/notables/2010/10/taking-a-dive On Luther's bye week, coach Mike Durnin drove to Fort Atkinson, Wis. where his wife, their oldest daughter, son-in-law and various relatives were already scheduled to skydive. Mon, 11 Oct 2010 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/notables/2010/10/taking-a-dive https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2000/luther-wartburg-set-for-war The two schools share one of the deepest and fiercest rivalries in the IIAC. And though Luther hasn't beaten Wartburg since 1991, the series is even -- 28-28-1. Last year, the Knights evened the series by holding on late for a thrilling 20-17 victory. Fri, 13 Oct 2000 04:00:00 GMT https://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2000/luther-wartburg-set-for-war