XENIA — The gymnasium inside the new Warner Middle School will honor a long-time Xenia educator and coach.

The Xenia Community Schools Board of Education on Monday unanimously approved a resolution to name the facility as the Norwood E. Golden Gymnasium.

“I believe it is entirely fitting that our young student-athletes will be playing and learning to work together to succeed in the Norwood E. Golden Gymnasium for decades to come,” said Dr. Gabriel Lofton, superintendent. “I have heard from many members of our community about the impact that he had on students and our community, and this is a fitting tribute to a teacher, coach, and principal of his stature.”

Golden’s impact on Xenia students spanned his tenure of more than 20 years with the district. During his earliest days in Xenia as a teacher and coach at West Junior High School (1966-1972), he also led the Buccaneers to a Western Ohio League (WOL) varsity football title in 1969. With two advanced degrees in education, he later became assistant principal at Central Junior High (1972-1977) and then principal of Warner Junior High School (1977-1987), where he served until his retirement.

He was named principal of the year in 1986, and was later inducted into the Xenia Athletic Hall of Fame (2018). Over his many years of service to Xenia students, he taught multiple areas of study, as well as coached football, wrestling, basketball, baseball, softball, and track. His ability to reach students and empower them to succeed created a legacy of kindness, empathy, respect, and leadership that impacted thousands of students over the years, the district said in a release.

The dedication of the Norwood E. Golden Gymnasium will take place after the new Warner Middle School opens later this school year.