Northland College Athletics

Orbin Fortier spent only 11 years at Northland but he always will be remembered. In turn, it is the hope of Northland that those years spent here helped serve as a beginning for the success Fortier has enjoyed since as a coach, an administrator, and as a gentleman. He graduated from the old Northland Academy in 1915 and the college in 1919. He coached the undefeated 1919 football team and was head basketball coach for three seasons. The Lumberjacks won over 70 percent of their games and never lost to arch rival Superior State under Fortier's guidance.

Fortier began coaching basketball at Santa Rosa High School in California in 1925. In 25 seasons his team never failed to win at least one conference or district championship, copping a total of 37 titles in all. When he left the coaching ranks in 1950 he was the most successful high school mentor in northern California.

After he left coaching he became an administrator and counselor in the Santa Rosa schools. He retired in 1963. Hundreds of Fortier's friends in Santa Rosa gave him a testimonial banquet at the time. They said, "He possessed the kind of personality that made boys want to play for him and he knew how to handle boys and get the most out of them. He had the confidence of students and parents alike, and will always have countless friends made during the past 40 years. Orb W. Fortier, outstanding teacher, coach, administrator- and above all a real gentleman.

We salute you!"