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Everyone thought Norm Stewart was handed players by Rich
Daly on a silver platter. Doug Smith, John McIntyre, the list
is nearly endless.
What wasn't endless was Stewart's vision and effort for Missouri basketball in the 1960's and 70's. It was bad enough seeing mediocre teams coached by former Southwest Missouri State hero Bob Vanatta before he arrived from Northern Iowa in 1967, but it was bad enough playing at the Brewer Field House, trying to recruit to improve.
When he returned to Mizzou, arch nemesis Kansas had already enjoyed 11 seasons at the Allen Fieldhouse, stealing players under Mizzou's nose, such as St. Louisan Jo Jo White, who later enjoyed a fine NBA career.
After first landing hot-shot forward John Brown, who for many years held the school's scoring record, Stormin' Norman laid down the law.
No new building, no new success.
The legislature, under the watchful eye of then-Governor Warren Hearnes, pushed through the financing to allow it to be built, ready for Stewart's sixth season.
That's when a facility met opportunity. In 1973, two of the state's finest players ever, Jim Kennedy of DeSmet, and Kim Anderson of Smith-Cotton in Sedalia, hooked up in the Class L (before the four class tournament was inaugurated) semi-final at the Hearnes Center. Stewart throughout the season courted both players tirelessly, knowing they'd eventually appear in his palace.
And they were impressed. Both signed on to play, and with a little added luck from a juco transfer from Las Vegas by the name of Willie Smith, the trio hooked up to send the Tigers to the NCAA regional finals against Michigan.
They needed a little more luck however. The Wolverines won, and eventually lost in the National Championship to Indiana, the last team to win a NCAA Division I basketball title with an undefeated season.
Norm Stewart. Never went to a Final Four. Came close twice. Built a program that was ranked number one a few times. Worked hard, got help, added luck, and rebuilt quickly. Only more luck would have made him a national power rather than the oft-perceived local bully.
If you didn't like his method, then make sure your scholarship donations go toward the Woody Wiedenhofer/Bob Stull memorial football rebuilding program.
Because under Stormin' Norman, no one should have expected a sunny day for what he overcame.
EDITOR'S NOTE: With this article, Scott Simon (news and sports
personality at KMBZ AM-980, Kansas City) marks his return to the
pages of St. Louis Sports Online.
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