University of Missouri Alumni and Sports Legend Norris Stevenson Dies

Last March 3, sports pioneer and University of Missouri alumni Norris Stevenson dies due to colon cancer. Stevenson was seventy-two years old. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) March 15, 2012 - Sports fans all over the state mourned the death of Norris Stevenson, a football pioneer and alumni from the University of Missouri. His athletic career began at Vashon High as a prep athlete. In 1958, Stevenson made his mark in history when he became the city's first student of African-American descent to win a football scholarship from the university. Other credits to his name include being a St. Louis Community College head coach for thirty years as well as a Hall of Famer for his outstanding career a coach in track and field.

From 1958 until 1961, Stevenson had been hailed as one of the university's best athletes not only in track and field but in football as well. His career records include seven touch downs as well as having tallied 1,174 yards. His best season was in 1960, wherein he had completed 5 touchdowns and racked up 687 yards. His excellent performance ensured that the Mizzou Tigers won the Big 8 Conference Title and secured a place in the Orange Bowl.

His numerous achievements spanned his career as player and coach as well as his contributions to the school and various sports communities. In 1999, Stevenson joined the elite list of athletes making up the Hall of Fame of the Missouri Track & Field Association.

Two years later, the university's Stadium Plaza was rechristened as the Norris Stevenson Plaza of Champions. The plaza is located at the stadium's west side and features almost 150 commemoration bricks that bear the names of over 200 alumni students, coaches, and teams.

In 2002, his name was added to the list of select athletes that made it to the Football Hall of Fame of the university. In September, Stevenson received one of his greatest honors as he was inducted into the state's Sports Hall of Fame.
Stevenson leaves behind his spouse Delores and children Jennifer Stevenson and Loren S. Wilson as well as grandchildren Jessica Camille and Erika Michelle Wilson. He is also survived by his siblings Anita W. Stevens, Gerald Stevenson, Ricky Stevenson, Yvonne Kincade, and Joyce S. Hicks.

Friends, colleagues, and relatives had been able to pay their last respects to Stevenson at the Wade Funeral Home Twin Chapel while a service was held this March 8 at the Lane Tabernacle CME Church.

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