A new coach and a drastically new team will be gracing Mizzou Arena next fall. And if things go according to plan, apparently there will also be a new statue out front.
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.
FWIW, here are my thoughts on why there is no question a statue of Norm is the right move pic.twitter.com/8WWXfVA7Qs
— Gabe DeArmond (@GabeDeArmond) May 17, 2017
I guess my only surprise is how long it took for this to be conceptualized — he’s been retired for 18 years, and Mizzou Arena is 12 years old. Regardless, it’s happening now. I’m assuming it’ll look something like this...
...but Dave Matter’s got other ideas.
@GabeDeArmond Suggested pose pic.twitter.com/842SHBEnnr
— Dave Matter (@Dave_Matter) May 17, 2017
As for the present tense for Mizzou, the Tigers will need to shoot better to make a serious run at the NCAA Tournament, but Cuonzo Martin has begun to install his program.
More Links:
- Mizzou commit James Foster: Elite 11 finalist.
On to the 2⃣0⃣'s... we're getting closer.#Elite11 Finals Invite No.20:
— Elite11 (@Elite11) May 16, 2017
James Foster
Lanier HS (Montgomery, AL) pic.twitter.com/CVSyNs2lpH
- 3-star Rochester (Mi.) cornerback Vincent Gray recently got a Mizzou offer and is interested in visiting Columbia.
- Jim Sterk says Mizzou Gymnastics coach Shannon Welker is not under investigation after last week’s KOMU exposé. Well then.
- Mizzou Softball’s game against Wisconsin in the Eugene Regional begins on Friday night at 8 p.m. CT on ESPN. The Tigers are 2-1 all-time against the Badgers. We talked about that and more on my weekly Closers appearance.
- Mizzou Men’s Golf rallied for an eighth-place finish in the NCAA Regionals, but the Tigers couldn’t overcome a rough Day 1 finish and failed to advance. Freshman Rory Franssen led the way with an 18th-place finish. Here’s a Mizzou Network feature on the the young Scot.
- Mizzou Network also put together a piece on Mizzou’s best doubles team in nearly 15 years.
- I brought in a ringer as this week’s PAPN guest host: Miami defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. We covered a broad range of topics, including his natural fit with former Mizzou defensive line coach Craig Kuligowski.