Graduated 1994
Inducted 2018
A three-year varsity football member, Stephen was a part of two state championships – 1992 and 1993. Leading the team in rushing, both as a junior and senior, he finished his senior year with 1,249 yards and scored 22 touchdowns. A two-time selection as both a running back and defensive back to the All-Conference teams. He also earned All-State running back both years, ultimately earning honorable mention All-American as a senior.
A first team All-Conference and All-District selection, he helped the Cardinals basketball team to an 18-6 record and a conference title his senior year.
Stephen also earned All-Conference and All-Area selections for the baseball team.
As a MSSU Lion, Stephen patrolled center field for four years. He helped the Lions to a 113-79 record and four trips to the MIAA tournament. A two-time All-MIAA selection, Stephen name is found throughout the record books for the lions.
A career .337 hitter he ranks 2ndon the career hit list, with 247, leading the team with 71 hits in 1997. He also is number 2 in career doubles with 52, 3rdin career at bats with 773 and 5th in runs scored with 198. He still holds the number 9 position with 149 runs batted in.
With a good eye for the strikezone, he led the teams in walks in both 1995 and 1996, finishing 8thall time with 120 free passes.
On the base paths, he twice stole 3 bases in a single game, leading the team his freshman year with 26. His career total of 49 stolen bases still ranks 7th.
As an outfielder, he has the 10thbest fielding percentage for a season, committing only one error in 1996, and is ranked 11thbest all time with a fielding percentage of .978.
Inducted into the MSSU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2009
Stephen graduated from Missouri Southern in 1998 and was hired by Boyd Metals, where he is finishing his 20thyear. He and his wife Stephanie have been married for over 18 years and have three daughters (Sage, Sophia and Savannah) attending Webb City Schools. He loves spending time with his family and if any spare time arises, he can be found on the golf course. Members of the Carterville Christian Church, they enjoy being able to serve alongside a wonderful church family.