Norman "Stormin' Norm" Alston, a Cal State East Bay Pioneer Hall of Famer, has come full circle in his athletic career. From a decorated student-athlete to the head coach of the university's Cross Country and Track & Field programs, Alston's journey embodies the spirit of dedication and excellence.

As a student-athlete, Alston left an indelible mark on Cal State East Bay (then Cal State Hayward) athletics. A three-time All-American, he dominated in long and triple jumps, helping the Pioneers secure back-to-back Far Western Conference team championships. His school record in the long jump, set in 1981 with a leap of 27 feet, 3 inches, stood unbroken for an impressive 37 years.

Alston's athletic prowess extended beyond collegiate competitions. He represented the United States in international events and qualified for the 1984 Olympic Trials in the long jump. His personal bests include a 53 feet, four inch triple jump and impressive times of 10.52 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.7 seconds in the 200 meters.

In December 2022, Alston returned to his alma mater as the head coach for men's and women's cross country and track & field. This homecoming is particularly meaningful for Alston. When asked about coaching at his former competing grounds, he expressed, "I'm very honored to have a chance to give today's athletes a sense of belonging to a legacy. Also, to give life-skills as was given to me while being an athlete and student."

Alston's coaching philosophy is rooted in the program's rich history. He emphasizes the importance of hard work and self-belief, stating that the greatest challenge in coaching is "to have the athlete truly believe in themselves." When recruiting, Alston looks for one key intangible quality: "Grit!! Not afraid to do what it takes to be great."

As he builds upon the program's strong distance running foundation when he was first hired, Alston is working to expand East Bay's reputation across all track and field disciplines. He aims to also showcase the university as a great program for sprinters, throwers, jumpers, and mid-distance runners alike.

With his wealth of experience and passion for the sport, Norman Alston is not just coaching athletes; he's nurturing the next generation of Pioneers. As he leads Cal State East Bay's track and field and cross country teams, Alston continues to embody the Pioneer spirit, bridging the university's storied past with its promising future.