Norm Stewart Honored with NABC Guardian of the Game Award

University of Missouri men’s basketball coaching legend Norm Stewart was honored on Wednesday with the NABC Guardian of the Game Award, receiving the accolade for advocacy.

The award is presented each year at the NABC Convention to NABC-member coaches, administrators and contributors who embody the NABC’s core values of leadership, service, education, advocacy, and inclusion.

“Coaching is about much more than on-court results,” said NABC Executive Director Craig Robinson. “The NABC’s Guardians of the Game platform showcases coaches’ unique ability to make a positive impact on our society. These Guardians of the Game awards are among our industry’s most prestigious honors, and I commend each of this year’s recipients for how they live out the NABC’s core values.”

Stewart became the face of his alma mater, where he won 634 games in 32 seasons as the head coach of the Tigers before retiring in 1999. Stewart’s MU teams won 20 or more games 17 times, and he captured eight Big Eight regular season championships.

Following a colon cancer diagnosis, Stewart partnered with the NABC and the American Cancer Society in 1993 to launch the Coaches vs. Cancer program – which today remains one of the most impactful philanthropic initiatives in all of sports. Now in its 30th season, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised over $155 million to support the life-saving efforts of the American Cancer Society, including screening, research, and patient support programs.

Stewart was honored for his 30 years of work with the Coaches vs. Cancer program in a ceremony on campus in November.