Scott Norton (born February 18, 1982[1]) is an American professional bowler and attorney. The son of Rick Norton and United States Bowling Congress Hall of Famer Virginia Norton, he began bowling at around the age of four. When he was 18, he won 21 amateur bowling titles, won the gold medal at the Junior World Amateur Championships and, as captain of the adult team, became the youngest person ever to win the Adult National Amateur Championship. He attended California State University, Fullerton where he majored in history. He was named the collegiate bowler of the year for 2000—2001. After completing his undergraduate degree at the University of Utah, Norton attended Hastings College of the Law and passed the California bar exam in 2009.[2]
Norton joined the Professional Bowlers Association in 2008. He was named the 2009 PBA West Region Rookie of the Year.[1] A win in December 2009 at the Sands Regency PBA Regional Players Invitational in Reno earned Norton $7,500 in prize money and an exemption, or automatic spot, on the 2010-11 PBA Tour. At the 2010 World Series of Bowling, he won his first PBA Tour title, the PBA Chameleon Championship.[2] Norton was ranked 18th for the 2010-11 season.[1] In May 2011 the PBA named Norton the Harry Golden PBA Rookie of the Year.[3]
On May 19, 2011, inspired by the coming out of Phoenix Suns President and CEO Rick Welts, Norton released a statement acknowledging that he is gay. "It is extremely important for me to come out to show other gay athletes, both current and future, that it is important to come out to show that we are just like everyone else. Being gay doesn’t define who I am as a person or as a professional athlete....It's important to show people that being gay has nothing to do with one's ability to do anything as a man, least of all compete at the highest level of sports."[4] His fiancé is Craig Woodward.[5] The couple held a wedding ceremony on October 22, 2011 in Laguna Beach, California.[6]