ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A special guest was welcomed in the Missouri House Wednesday as he was inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians at the Capitol and his bust was unveiled.
"(Wednesday) we gathered and honored and welcome a legendary figure whose name is etched in the heart of Missouri Basketball," said House speaker Dean Plocher, introducting legendary Missouri Basketball Head Coach Norm Stewart.
Stewart grew up in Shelby County, Missouri and during his time at Mizzou as a player, he left a mark from 1952 to 1956, playing both baseball and basketball at the school. He briefly pursued professional baseball and basketball but returned to the sidelines as a grad student in 1957 and became an assistant coach both Mizzou basketball and baseball program.
Stewart would leave the school in 1961 to become the head coach at the school now known as University of Northern Iowa, where he coached there for six years.
"Yet destiny would call him back to Columbia," said Plocher. "For 32 extraordinary seasons, he would be the heart and soul of Missouri basketball. Under his guidance, the Tigers would sore to unprecedented heights, clinching Big 8 championships, conference championship and making 16 NCAA Tournament Appearances."
Stewart made at lasting impact at the university, winning AP Coach of the Year and his battle with colon cancer in 1989 turned into Coaches versus Cancer event.
"Norm Stewart is forever a Tiger and forever a legend," said Plocher.
Stewart took the podium and despite almost being 90-years-old, he still had a sense of humor.
"I was mention something about the state reps from Boone County and Shelby County and tell them I assume they voted for me in this deal," Stewart said to laughter. "If you did, thank you, if you didn't I think back to the team in 1994, a very long time ago, and remember they gave me a Christmas Card. On the card said 'By a squad vote of 7-5, we wish you a Merry Christmas.'"
Stewart introduced his family, talked about how proud he is of them, and how humbled he is to go into the Hall of Famous Missourians.
"I'm really so proud of being a Missourian and joining a class of illustrious people," said Stewart. "I had a tour and gave me a tour last summer and I got to see a lot of people that have gone before me. This make you feel so good. This makes me so good."
