University of Missouri sports pioneer Norris Stevenson died last Saturday after a bout with colon cancer. He was 72.
A former standout prep athlete at Vashon High, Stevenson broke the color barrier in Columbia when he became Mizzou’s first African-American scholarship football player in 1958. Stevenson was also a Hall of Fame track and field coach. He spent 30 years as the head coach at St. Louis Community College at Florissant Valley.
Stevenson enjoyed an excellent football and track career at Missouri from 1958 to 1961. In his career, he rushed for 1,174 yards and scored seven touchdowns. He enjoyed his best season in 1960 when he rushed for 687 yards and scored five touchdowns in helping the Tigers to the Big 8 Conference title and a berth in the Orange Bowl.
Stevenson has received numerous honors for outstanding achievement as a player, a coach and for his contributions the University of Missouri and athletic communities. In 1999, he was inducted into the Missouri Track and Field Association Hall of Fame.
In 2001, the Stadium Plaza at Mizzou was renamed the Norris Stevenson Plaza of Champions. He was inducted into the University of Missouri Football Hall of Fame in 2002. In September, Stevenson was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.
Norris Stevenson is survived by his wife, Delores, daughters Loren Stevenson (Kevin) Wilson and Jennifer M. Stevenson, grandchildren Erika Michelle Wilson and Jessica Camille Wilson and siblings Joyce S. Hicks, Yvonne Kincade, Ricky (Saletha) Stevenson, Gerald Stevenson and Anita Watkins Stevens.
The visitation for Norris Stevenson was held on Wednesday at the Wade Funeral Home Twin Chapel (4800 Natural Bridge Ave.). Funeral services will be held today (Thursday, March 8) at 10 a.m. at Lane Tabernacle CME Church (910 N. Newstead Ave).
