Northland College Athletics

In 1922 a young freshman stepped from the halls of Ashland high school onto the Northland College campus. His flashing form and accurate foot set records that are still unsurpassed 40 years later. Stuart P. McCune came upon the Northland athletic scene during a rebuilding period. The "Golden Era" of Northland College athletics came to an end with advent of World War I. Victories won the football gridiron; basketball court, baseball diamond, and the track were no longer commonplace. While the glory of that era has never been recaptured, Stuart McCune helped bring Northland back onto the path of victory.

He was elected football captain in 1922 as a freshman halfback. The season was not a success, for Northland lost to arch rival Superior State. McCune helped remedy that in 1923 as the fourth highest scoring team in Northland history crushed Superior State, 34-0, en route to a winning record. In 1924, Northland again topped Superior State, 25-18, and enjoyed another successful season. McCune was elected captain again in 1925, his senior year. Switching to quarterback, he guided the Lumberjacks to another representative season. McCune was an adept drop kicker as well as a powerful runner. In four seasons he scored 82 points, a career record that still stands four decade later. He also was an outstanding basketball player, winning four varsity letters and serving as captain in his junior year and senior years.