Athlete 1963- 1967
Be it academics, student government, athletics or involvement in the church, Linfield Athletics Hall of Fame inductee Stuart Young is a born leader and educator.
A two-time Linfield All-American baseball pitcher, Young was a driving force behind Linfield's 1966 NAIA baseball championship. That spring, he received distinction as the most valuable player in the NAIA World Series.
Between his junior and senior years, he was an American team representative at the World Amateur Baseball Tournament held in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Young honed his baseball skills under Hall of Fame coach Roy Helser, who molded him into an all-star left-handed pitcher. As a junior, Young led the nation in pitching victories, striking out 71 batters in 92 1/3 innings while allowing just 20 earned runs.
"Stuart was the epitome of what Roy Helser needed on that team. Whenever we faced a must-win game, Helser relied on Stu," said teammate Tom Rohlffs. "Today when I see Tom Glavine of the Atlanta Braves pitching on TV, I think of Stuart. He had tremendous finense and intellect. He had great control of his pitches and used all 18 inches of the plate. Stuart was the hub of our wheel."
Young's accomplishments since graduation are significant. He has built a distinguished career in international education as a teacher, counselor and school administrator. He began teaching seventh graders in Portland and Albany, but his interest in traveling abroad led him to teaching positions in Pakistan, Norway, and Jamaica. Returning to the Northwest, he earned a master's and doctorate degree from the University of Oregon, then became principal at nearby Creswell High School. Before long, Young was elevated to district superintendent, a position he held for four years until 1982. His yearning to see new places took him overseas again to Dhaka, Bangladesh, where he was the superintendent of schools at the American International School. He later served as headmaster at the Canadian Academy in Kobe, Japan for 14 years, and for two years at the Eastern Seaboard School in Buripah, Thailand, before retiring in June.
He has made numerous presentations at conferences around the globe, including Europe, the Middle East and Asia as well as the Washington state school administrators conference.
"What is exceptional about Stuart's career is not only his interest in the education of young people, but his encouragement for their advancement in higher education in which Linfield has never been forgotten," noted the Rev. Jack Kiekel '65, a retired pastor from Salem's Calvary Baptist Church. "He has been in an influential position to make the American ideals a reality for those of other nationalities."
The son of an American Baptist pastor, Young grew up in Medford, Ore., and it seemed a natural fit that he attend Linfield, given the college's connection to the American Baptist churches. It wasn't long after enrolling at Linfield that Young emerged in a leadership role. He served as freshman and sophomore class president, rising to the position of student body president by the time he was a junior.
"Stuart has carried the Linfield spirit with him wherever he has traveled," observed Rev. Kiekel. "He has influenced many young people, impacted the teaching staff that have served under him, and elevated the view of education to a most vaunted perspective."
Young married Sandra Adams, a fine student in her own right and former Linfield College May Queen. Stuart and Sandra raised three children, Nicola, Berkeley, and Alex. All three graduated from Stanford University.
The Youngs now reside in Sunriver, but spend time annually at their residence on the beach in Costa Rica.
