Alvern Damberg
An outstanding athlete in Stout's early years, established a kicking record that stands today -- the longest field goal. No one has been able to match Damberg's record kick of 45 yards against Eau Claire in 1921. He helped lead the 1921 squad to a conference title, the first in the school's history. A quarterback and halfback, he was selected captain of the 1922 squad. Willmar and Eveleth, Minnesota high schools were among Damberg's coaching jobs. His 1929 Willmar basketball team lost at state following a regional championship. Damberg, who received his diploma from Stout in 1923, retired in 1968 following 27 years at Wilson Junior High in St. Paul.
Dave Stori
An outstanding athlete at Menomonie High School, established a brilliant record at Stout, where he captained both basketball and football teams in the early 1930s. He was a three-time all-conference selection in basketball and also made the allconference squad in football from his end position. After his graduation from Stout in 1934, he played semi-professional basketball and established himself as a formidable coach, especially in track. Because of the many titles they won, his Richland Center High School squad gained a statewide reputation in track. Stori died in 1961, two days before his 50th birthday.
Mike McHugh
With his runs from scrimmage pass receiving and kick returns, carried the ball further than any other player in Stout's football history. Almost every page of the record book has his name. McHugh holds 20 game, season and career records, including most total yards gained --- 10,170, a remarkable figure. He was selected most valuable player on the 1965 championship team, gained the honor again in 1966 and was named captain of the 1967 squad. He made the all-district team twice in football and once as an outfielder in baseball. He accumulated four letters in football and two in baseball. A 1969 graduate, McHugh, who lives in Excelsior, Minn., is a field salesman with Essex Group of United Technologies.
Mike Thompson
Earned seven letters in basketball and baseball, is now supervisor of data and accounting for a division of the 3M Co. in St. Paul. Thompson was the most valuable player in the 1966 basketball squad, a championship team. He was most valuable player and captain in 1967. Named to the all-conference team twice, he ranks third in career scoring with 1,191 points and ninth in average with 13.8 points per game. Many remember Thompson as one of the University's best pitchers. Thompson received his bachelor's degree in 1968.Harley Hesselman led the Blue Devils to conference basketball titles and the national basketball playoffs in Kansas City in 1942 and 1943. He made the all-conference basketball team four times and served as captain of the Stout team in 1942, 1943 and 1947. He ranks 17th in all-time Blue Devil scoring with 829 points and ninth in scoring average with 13.8 points. He earned three letters in baseball. His career at Stout was interrupted by World War 11 when he served on a destroyer in the South Pacific. Hesselman received his bachelor's degree in 1947 from Stout and now serves as manager of the Mondovi Telephone Co. He is a past president of the board of directors of the Wisconsin State Telephone Association. He also served as president of the Mondovi Hospital Board and headed up the hospital's fund drive.
Gale Woelffer
Established some passing records at Stout that may never be surpassed. Woelffer, who played on the tough Toni Storti teams in the post World War 11 era, once completed 19 of 20 passes in a game against Whitewater. As a freshman, he was an all-conference honorable mention selection and was all-conference the next three years. He gained 3,499 yards passing during his career and threw for A2 touchdowns. He also lettered in baseball. Woelffer received his bachelor's degree in 1955 from Stout and his master's degree in 1956. He is now the head of industrial engineering for the American Can Co. plant in Neenah. Active in youth and community affairs, Woelffer served on the first human rights commission in Pennsylvania, co-chaired a campaign to build a $3.5 million addition to Menasha High School and served seven years with the Neenah-Menasha United Way.
Mel Coleman
Never played high school basketball, but went on to win all-American honors at Stout while leading the Blue Devils to a conference championship and the national playoffs in Kansas City in 1969. He was selected the most valuable player in the conference and the only Stout player to receive first team NAIA all-American honors. He was drafted by professional teams in both the NBA and ABA. He led the conference in rebounding in 1968 and 1969 and took the scoring championship with 338 points his senior year. He grabbed 38 rebounds in a game against Whitewater in 1968. His 306 rebounds and 19.1 rebound average are conference records. Coleman received his bachelor's degree from Stout in 1969 and his master's degree in 1974. He is a licensed psychologist, is working in psycho- and behavior-therapy and career development programs in Minneapolis.
John Peterson
Won three Wisconsin State University Conference championships in wrestling at Stout before going on to become an Olympic medal winner in 1972 and 1976. He won a silver medal in his first Olympic try and a gold medal two years ago. He continues to train and expects to participate in the 1980 Olympic trials. Honors gained on the way to the Olympics have been numerous. He was a member of the U.S. World Team in 1971 and '73; traveled to Russia and Poland on exchange teams in 1972, '73, '74 and '76; was a World Cup gold medalist in 1973 and '75 and AAU champion in 1973, '75 and '78. Peterson received his bachelor's degree from Stout in 1971. He is an active member in Athletes in Action, a branch of the Campus Crusade for Christ. Although Peterson travels nationally with Athletes in Action, he calls Lancaster, Pa. home at the present time.
Bob Young
Was a three-sports star at Stout, earning four letters in football and baseball and one in basketball. He was the most valuable player on the 1949 football squad and an all-conference selection in 1946 and 1947 at halfback. He ranks tenth in scoring, history with 66 points and holds a university career kicking record with 30 of 39 points after touchdowns. Young, who received his bachelor's degree in 1950 from Stout, has had a combined career in teaching, coaching and officiating. Young now teaches building construction at Loves Park, Ill., where his students have built and sold eight homes. He serves as president of the Midwest Officials Association and also was selected to officiate an Illinois state tournament football game.
Glenn Harke
Won nine letters in four sports at Stout during a distinguished career that saw him selected captain in three sports: football, 1959 and 1960; basketball, 1960 and 1961; and track, 1961. He won all-conference honors three straight years in football and once in basketball. The Minnesota Vikings signed him to free agent contracts twice, but in both cases, his tryouts ended with the exhibition season. The former United Football League named him to their all-star team twice. Records point to Harke as Stout's second best ball carrier ever. He once returned a kickoff 102 yards. Harke, who received a bachelor's degree in 1961 and his master's in 1965, is a junior high school teacher and athletic director in Anoka, Minn.
Dwight Chinnock
It has been said, was the glue that held the Wisconsin State University Conference together during its middle years. Beginning in 1942, Chinnock was Stout's faculty representative to the conference. He was an outstanding athlete at River Falls and received his diploma from there in 1923. He came to Stout to teach industrial education in 1940. Two years later, he assumed the faculty representative responsibilities, serving as secretary of the conference for many years until a full-time commissioner was named. He was responsible for budget, scheduling, officials and records. He received a bachelor's degree from Stout in 1937 and a master's degree in 1941 from the University of Minnesota. He also has been nominated to the UW-River Falls Hall of Fame in recognition of his athletic accomplishments there. Chinnock retired from Stout in 1969.
Ray C. Johnson
Was athletic director for 31 years at Stout until his retirement in 1969. In the early years, his duties were divided between administration and coaching. He found success in both fields. As basketball coach, his teams won conference titles and playoff berths at the national basketball tournament at Kansas City in 1942 and 1943. As football coach, his team won the conference title in 1941. In 1965, he was appointed to a two-year term on the Governor's Committee for Physical Fitness. He was responsible for overseeing the completion of Stout's fieldhouse --- later named Johnson Fieldhouse in his honor. Completed in 1963, it is considered one of the finest facilities of its kind. Johnson, who now resides in Red Wing, Minn., is a member of the NAIA Hall of Fame. He served as NAIA District 14 chairman from 1952 to 1960 and area chairman from 1956 to 1960. He was named to receive the NAIA National Award of Merit in 1967 for his long service to athletics and that organization.