A few weeks ago, my friend Missouri House Speaker Dean Plocher, invited me over to the Capitol for a special event. This wasn’t your typical dog and pony show political event. They were unveiling a new inductee in the Hall of Famous Missourians — Norm Stewart.
For 32 seasons, Norm coached the Mizzou Tigers Basketball team. Under his leadership, Mizzou basketball fans watched 634 victories, multiple championships and legendary battles against our sworn enemy to the west, those Jayhawks. One thing was always certain — with Norm on the sideline, you were going to watch great basketball.
Norm found a place in the hearts of all Missourians because he was a “hometown boy.” Growing up in Shelbyville, it only made sense for him to go to the University of Missouri and play baseball and basketball. Even after his coaching career, Norm still gives back to Missouri by hosting the Norm Stewart Classic. This basketball tournament gives kids from small towns, such as Otterville and St. Elizabeth, the chance to play in a college arena under the bright lights.
I’d like to think if Norm Stewart had never picked up a basketball, he would have ended up working on a different Missouri team — at his local electric cooperative. He would have had a great time building out his “co-op team.” Instead of point guards, he would find good lineworkers to climb poles, a right-of-way crew to keep trees from hitting lines and member service representatives to answer tough questions.
Co-op teams work together to make electricity reliable and affordable. They are their own brand of hometown heroes. Just like a good basketball team, every co-op team member has a specific role. The teams that win show how every player is needed for success. Coaches set the tone, and the players earn the victories for their fans.
I know it may take some convincing to get Coach Stewart to swap his black and gold tie for a co-op green one, but he would be a great asset when it comes to watching the weather radar and repairing lines after ice, wind or snow. After all, his nickname is Stormin’ Norman.
Caleb Jones is the executive vice president and CEO of Missouri Electric Cooperatives. He is a member of Boone Electric Cooperative.