SEC Storied "Norm"

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He played. He coached. He left a legacy in black & gold. #SECStoried: Norm debuts May 1st at 9 PM/ET.
3:02 PM - 20 Apr 2016

COLUMBIA, Mo. - Mizzou Men’s Basketball legendNorm Stewart’s life will be chronicled by ESPN Films for its SEC Storied series on Sunday, May 1, with the premiere of “Norm”. The documentary focuses on Stewart’s early days as a student-athlete at Mizzou, his run of success that impassioned the state of Missouri towards Mizzou Basketball and his ongoing work to defeat cancer.


Former Mizzou standouts from throughout Stewart’s coaching tenure sat down with ESPN cameras to tell their own personal tales of Stewart’s impact on their lives. Head coach Kim Anderson, who starred for Stewart during his playing days in Columbia (1973-77), accurately summed up what his former coach has meant to Mizzou fans with his comments for the documentary.


“He's a one name guy,” Anderson said. “You say ‘Norm’, they know who ‘Norm’ is.”


“Norm” is the 25th film in the SEC Storied library and was directed by Fritz Mitchell. It will make its debut on the SEC Network on Sunday, May 1, at 8 p.m. CT.


Mizzou fans will have a special chance to see the documentary prior to its premiere at Mizzou Arena on Friday, April 29, with a free public screening at Noon. Fans are instructed to park in Lot P directly south of the arena and proceed through the main south doors, which will open at 11:30 a.m.


“Our friends at ESPN did a wonderful job telling Coach’s story,” Anderson said. “This documentary is something Mizzou fans and even fans of college basketball in general won’t want to miss.”


A panel of former Mizzou players under Stewart will discuss the documentary and their coach prior to the start of the 50-minute film. Those attending are asked to sit in Section 106. Light refreshments and popcorn will be provided, but fans are encouraged to enjoy their own lunches during the screening.


"Norm" Synopsis from ESPN

In the spring he threw a no hitter for the University's baseball team. In the winter he led the basketball team in scoring. That summer he married the homecoming queen. In 1956, on the University of Missouri campus, Norm Stewart was the man. Unlike most big men on campus, whose exploits drift into folklore Norm's best days at The University of Missouri were ahead of him. In 1967 the Shelbyville, Missouri native would become the Mizzou men’s basketball head coach. As much as his program leading 634 wins endeared him to the fans, his fiery style and loyalty to the state that raised him have made "Norm" a Missouri legend.

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Mizzou fans will have a special chance to see the documentary prior to its premiere at Mizzou Arena on Friday, April 29, with a free public screening at Noon.

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I'm not really doing anything tomorrow. I guess I'll go check it out.

I was there. I stopped by the arena today to check it out and I'm glad I did. I wasn't expecting Gary Link to be greeting people at the door.

It was about an hour long and I can honestly say that I had quite a few laughs and shed a tear near the end. I never got to see Norm coach in person and unfortunately, he was unable to make it today. Kim Anderson was there and even joined the crowd in watching the film.

If you're a true Missouri basketball fan, you might shed a few tears yourself when you realize what this man did to put the program on the map. I highly recommend watching it when it airs on ESPN. Norm has a great sense of humor and he cares greatly about the local community. Norm is truly a legend.

And he still hasn't spent a dime in Kansas.

It was on today. DVR'd it. Going to watch tonight.

DVR'd it. Watched it last night. My thoughts:

As a Columbia high schooler in the late 80s and a Mizzou student in the early 90s (perfect Big 8 run was my senior year), it jogged old memories and brought them to absolute clarity for 60 minutes.

My experience wasn't of football prowess. Mizzou pride didn't fully blossom until November in my time. There was a special feeling at Hearnes prior to tip-off during those years: tension, excitement, laughter (as the Antlers destroyed opposing teams at mid-court), all accompanied by Mini-Mizzou's familiar soundtrack. D-section filling up first. Then once the game started, hang on...it's gonna be fun.

Norm Stewart, despite his well-chronicled missteps in March made the winter months matter in Columbia. Big 8 basketball was important. Maybe his determination to win conference titles obscured the bigger picture. Who knows?

The documentary captured exactly what it felt like to be around Mizzou basketball during that period. It was special. Our team meant something nationally. Other teams hated playing in Hearnes. Wish they would have included our win at UNLV in 1988 (I think that's right). Wish they WOUND'T have included the "Cats from Ol' Mizzou" video (yuck).

I looked forward to this more than any other thing related to Mizzou basketball in a few years. That's sad.

I wish that every Mizzou basketball player would watch this; to remind them that basketball does matter to the fan base. My guess is that most of them know nothing of that time, but this documentary will give them a glimpse.

Will watch it a few more times...

Also worth mentioning that even today, Norm is a goddamn smooth dresser. His hat choices are straight baller.

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It was "pretty good"

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Well played.

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