MU Dedicates Norris Stevenson Plaza of Champions
10/26/2001 12:00:00 AM | Football
Oct. 26, 2001
Columbia, Mo. - St. Louis native and Vashon High graduate Norris Stevenson was the first scholarship African-American football player at the University of Missouri. To commemorate his tremendous contribution as a pioneer for Missouri athletics, the university dedicated the Norris Stevenson Plaza of Champions this afternoon on the west side of Memorial Stadium. While the weather was cool, hearts were warm at the hour-long ceremony that culminated in the unveiling of a bronze plaque of the honoree.
Fellow Missouri graduate and native St. Louisan, Demetrious Johnson, introduced Stevenson at the well-attended ceremony, which included several university dignitaries, as well as neighbors and member of Stevenson's church in University City. Johnson credited Stevenson for opening the doors to future African-American athletes, including him. "I owe a great deal to Norris Stevenson. If it were not for him, I would not be here today."
Stevenson admits that the recognition is one of those things he will really come to appreciate a year from now. But for the time being Stevenson states, " I can only imagine one day when I am gone, and my grandchild, or great-grandchild comes to a game and says 'that's my granddad.' That is worth all the tea in China to me." On being referred to as a trailblazer Stevenson states that "the first guy usually is. You start counting at one. If it had been someone else it would be named after him. I just hope that all African Americans will say that this is recognition for their contributions. If I was the first, I say 'ok,' I hope I did it well."
Stevenson has not donned his #40 Missouri Tiger jersey on Faurot Field since 1960, but his legacy has affected Tiger football since the spring of 1957. Stevenson enrolled that spring at Missouri on a football scholarship as Dan Devine took over as head coach. When he arrived on campus, Stevenson had no idea he was the first African-American scholarship football player at Missouri. "Maybe within the first week someone from the media told me, I said 'what! I am the first one?' It really was just a matter of a guy wanting to go to college and getting a football scholarship that allowed him to do so," Stevenson said.
He chose Mizzou over Indiana University, which already had several African-American football players. "I went where I had thought I had a better chance to play." Stevenson is admittedly proud to be a Tiger even though the journey was long and often difficult, "in the final analysis the experience fostered relations that can only come from sport, and people coming together as a team."
Over the three years in which Stevenson played at MU, the program compiled a 22-9-1 record, including two trips to the Orange bowl. Stevenson was a bruising fullback for Coach Devine, ending his Tiger career with 1,174 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns (seven rushing, three receiving). After a brief stint in professional football, Stevenson embarked on a hall of fame coaching career in the sport of track and field, as a coach for nearly 30 years at Forest Park Community College and Florissant Valley Community College.
In 1960, when Stevenson was a senior, Missouri went undefeated (11-0) capturing the Big Eight title and winning the Orange Bowl 21-14 over Navy. It was the last time Missouri had an undefeated season, and Stevenson remembers it well. "It was the ultimate team. Individually we were very good, but as a team we were great. There was a common pursuit of excellence, and everything just came together. When we hit the field we were the best of friends, all for one, one for all."
Stevenson is especially appreciative to Coach Devine and his support through the years. "There are very few people I can speak of that have made a tremendous contribution to my life. I have a great, strong feeling for Dan. Words can hardly express the gratitude. He just did a number of things beyond what he was required to do. Some used to call him a boy scout, I hope I am one."
It was not always easy to be the first African American player at Missouri, but Stevenson, now an ordained CME Minister, believes there was a religious calling involved. "It was going to happen sometime. If it was going to help future black athletes, there had to be someone who stayed. It was not always easy, and sometimes I wonder how I made it, but I thank God it was me."
Stevenson is an integral part of the athletics department new mentoring program, entitled "restore the roar". It is designed to maintain relations between current and former MU athletes. "Mentoring is less about how many touchdowns you score, and more about showing them we care. I tell the players to enjoy college, to follow their dreams, to work hard as a team, but most importantly to have the degree to show when you are done. College football is great preparation for life in terms of discipline, and not everyone can go to the NFL. This program says that the university is interested beyond sports, interested in your life. All of those involved say this is what we needed. Maybe now I do have the real, true pioneering spirit."
The Norris Stevenson Plaza of Champions honors not just a football player, but also a champion in life. Stevenson's humble nature, along with his deep religious faith, has set a standard of excellence at the University of Missouri that all Missourians can be proud of.
