Long-Time Missouri Basketball Coach Gets Contract Extension

Norm Stewart will be coaching Missouri’s basketball team into the next century under a contract extension with the university.

Stewart, 61, is in the fourth year of a five-year contract and in his 30th season at Missouri. The new agreement secures his position as head coach until 2001, athletic director Joe Castiglione said Monday.

“Norm Stewart is the heart and soul of Missouri basketball,” Castiglione said. “He and his players have elevated our program to a level of national prominence that Tigers fans had never seen previously.”

Stewart’s record is 581-292 at Missouri and 678-334 overall. He is hoping to record both his 600th win at Missouri and 700th career victory this season.

Kansas, which lost starting point guard Jacque Vaughn to a broken wrist before practice started, lost another player at that position when reserve C.B. McGrath underwent arthroscopic knee surgery.