Mizzou confirms plans for Norm Stewart statue outside basketball arena

The University of Missouri is raising money to build and install a statue of former basketball coach Norm Stewart outside its Mizzou Arena.

Tigers senior associate athletic director for strategic communications Nick Joos confirmed the project, which is slated for completion near the start of the 2017-18 season, on Wednesday evening.

“Obviously, we’re confident a lasting symbol of the impact that legendary coach Norm Stewart had on Mizzou Basketball and state of Missouri, as a whole, would be well received by our fans and the people of our state,” MU men’s basketball assistant director of strategic communications Patrick Crawford said via text message.

There are a few remaining hurdles for the project, which was first reported by Gabe DeArmond of Power Mizzou.

“Plans and approvals still need to happen on campus for location and finalization of a statue,” Crawford said.

Stewart, 82, went 634-333 in 32 seasons as Mizzou’s coach from 1967-99.

No other coach in Tigers history presided over more than 195 wins and Stewart’s .656 career winning percentage is the highest of any MU coach with more than two seasons on the bench.

Stewart, whose name already is on the court inside Mizzou Arena, led Missouri to eight Big Eight championships and 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, including three trips to the Elite Eight.

The Tigers open next season — the first led by Cuonzo Martin, who was hired in March — against former conference rival Iowa State on Nov. 10 at Mizzou Arena.

This story was originally published May 17, 2017 at 6:44 PM with the headline "Mizzou confirms plans for Norm Stewart statue outside basketball arena."