Pro basketball player and Mizzou coach Stormin’ Norman Stewart was born in Shelby County. In 1956, he was drafted by the now-defunct St. Louis Hawks, for whom he played forward for one season.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.