(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) From left, Norway City Manager Ray Anderson, former Norway High School community schools director and athletic director Bill Bell, former varsity football coach Bob Giannunzio, former varsity girls basketball coach Barb Perry and state Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township, stand below the new sign on U.S. 8 on Saturday, signifying three state championships won at Norway High School in a two-year span. Anderson, McBroom and Bell were instrumental in getting the signs put in place after many years of work by Bell.

By MATT “SWEETS” McCARTHY

Sports Writer

NORWAY — Something that has been in the works since 1987 finally came to pass in Norway.

At the east and west entry on U.S. 2 and from the south on U.S. 8, signs now have been placed underneath the city limit marker that read: “Class D State Champs 1979 & 1980 Football 1979 Girls Basketball.”

Bill Bell, former Norway High School community schools director and athletic director, began trying to get in touch with the proper people who could give the go-ahead to put the signs up, starting back in 1987, when he was hired by the Norway school district.

“It was a long process, I made lots of phone calls over the years and talked with lots of different people, in different political and public service positions to try to make this happen,” said Bell. “My former secretary, Janis Hogberg, who was on the 1979 basketball team, helped me out with this as well back before the two of us retired from the school district.”

State Sen. Ed McBroom, a 1999 Norway graduate, got brought into the process back when he was a state representative. “It took me many phone calls and conversations as well, but eventually Mr. Bell and I got through to the right people, and Ray Anderson and the city of Norway purchased the signs and ensured they got put up,” McBroom said.

Anderson, who attended the photo opportunity on Saturday, was representing both the city of Norway and his late father Donald “Pasty” Anderson, who was a long-time assistant to Norway head football coach Bob Giannunzio.

“The process to get these signs approved by MDOT, get them purchased and put up, shouldn’t have taken this many years, but it did. My dad would be glad to see these signs, so I am glad they’re finally in place,” Anderson said.