Raising money for cancer research is, was, and always will be the focal point of the Classic, but it’s also about the kids. Norm Stewart is the only person in Mizzou history to be inducted into the University of Missouri Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame as both a student-athlete and coach. John Sprugel explains, “The concept for the 48-hour format is to give high school student-athletes a unique and memory-filled experience that they will remember for the rest of their lives. - Norm Stewart, head basketball coach and cancer survivor. This year, pay close attention to the all-star broadcasting team calling the games.
There is no other high school basketball experience in the country with this 48-hour format.
He would break into the high school gym to work on his game, the payoff resulting in All-State honors.
Coach Stewart had a Hall of Fame career as a legendary basketball coach at the University of Missouri,” said John Sprugel.
It requires numerous people using their strengths to pull off an event of this scale.
Coach Stewart had a Hall of Fame career as a legendary basketball coach at the University of Missouri,” said John Sprugel.
The size of the gym is ideal for allowing fans to get up close and be engaged with the game. Rock Bridge and Hazelwood Central Girls will be the event opener.
National and Regional exposure await these 47 teams as elite basketball programs from across Missouri and the surrounding states compete to a national audience on ESPN3, ESPN U, and a network of regional viewers on television stations throughout the state of Missouri.5:00 pm East Buchanan vs Clarksville Academy (TN) boys1:00 am Father Tolton vs St. Joseph’s Academy girls7:00 am St. Louis Christian vs Booker T. Washington (OK) boys ESPN U9:00 am Father Tolton vs Mehlville boys ESPN U 6:00 pm Raymore Peculiar vs East St. Louis (IL) boysColumbia Rock Bridge- 45 v Hazelwood Central- 40 (girls)Springfield Catholic- 45 v Springfield Glendale- 48 (girls)Wentzville Liberty- 51 v Peoria Quest Charter Academy -38 (boys)Jefferson City - 66 v East St Louis Senior High- 44 (girls)
“Our athletes find joy, confidence, and fulfillment -- on the playing field and in life. The Classic began with four games being played in just one day back in 2007 but eventually transitioned into 15 games to be played over the course of a weekend. “Mission” is an understatement and it’s been going on for a while now. “The Norm Stewart Classic is a tribute to Coach Stewart for his continued contributions to the game of basketball in the state of Missouri. Coach Stewart, along with Jerry Quick of the American Cancer Society, had founded an earlier program called 3-Point Attack that later became Coaches vs Cancer. “His contributions to this state, to the game of basketball and to thousands of student-athletes is immeasurable.
24 games, 48 straight hours and 47 High School teams play non-stop early season hoops action starting at 5:00pm Friday, December 6 thru 6:00pm on Sunday, December 8, 2019 at Mizzou Arena. Ticket sales and halftime contributions are an important part of this fundraising venture. And we want them to be engaged. They don’t oversell.
It would be safe to assume that Norm’s mission for the Classic would be for people to say, “That Classic... it’s pretty good.” Columbia Rock Bridge- 45 v Hazelwood Central- 40 (girls)Springfield Catholic- 45 v Springfield Glendale- 48 (girls)Wentzville Liberty- 51 v Peoria Quest Charter Academy -38 (boys)Jefferson City - 66 v East St Louis Senior High- 44 (girls)https://www.cancer.org/involved/fundraise/coaches-vs-cancer.html/