Mizzou will screen ESPN’s documentary on Norm Stewart before it debuts

The newest Mizzou-centric SEC Storied documentary, “Norm,” will debut at 8 p.m. May 1 on the SEC Network, but Tigers fans will get a chance to screen it two days earlier.

“Norm,” an ESPN Films production directed by Fritz Mitchell, chronicles the life of former Missouri men’s basketball coach Norm Stewart from his days as a multi-sport star at MU to his legendary career as the Tigers’ coach and his charity work aimed at eradicating cancer.

“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,” the ESPN synopsis for the documentary reads, in part.

Stewart, 81, founded Coaches vs. Cancer, a collaboration between the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches that has raised more than $87 million since its inception in 1993.

Stewart — a Shelbyville, Mo., native and 2007 College Basketball Hall of Fame inductee — was diagnosed with colon cancer in 1989, but went on to coach 10 more years after successful treatment.

Missouri announced Wednesday that it will conduct a free public screening of “Norm” at noon April 29 at Mizzou Arena. The event will include a panel discussion with former players from Stewart’s time as Missouri’s coach before the 50-minute film airs.

One of Stewart’s former players is current Missouri coach Kim Anderson, who was Big Eight Co-Player of the Year in 1977, and later served two stints on Stewart’s staff with the Tigers.

“He's a one name guy,” Anderson said. “You say ‘Norm’, they know who ‘Norm’ is. … Our friends at ESPN did a wonderful job telling Coach’s story. This documentary is something Mizzou fans and even fans of college basketball in general won’t want to miss.”

The documentary includes archival footage and interviews with dozens of Stewart’s former players.

Fans attending the screening should park in Lot P, located south of Mizzou Arena, and enter through the main south doors, which will open at 11:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be provided, but fans are encouraged to bring their own lunch to the screening.

This story was originally published April 20, 2016 at 6:32 PM with the headline "Mizzou will screen ESPN’s documentary on Norm Stewart before it debuts."