Athletics Hall of Fame
Stewart, Class of '85, was a four-year starter at quarterback, graduating with six of the Dutchmen’s all-time passing records. Stewart led Union to its first non-losing season in over a decade when his freshman team of 1981 compiled a record of 4-4-1. Among those wins was a 10-7 victory over Albany State, a preseason NCAA tournament participant selection, which is generally regarded as “THE” game that turned Union’s program around. As a junior, Stewart led the 1983 Dutchmen to their first-ever NCAA invitation and to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. Despite Union’s 21-17 loss to Augustana, Stewart was recognized by the media as the Dutchmen’s “Outstanding Player of the Game.” He completed his career by leading the 1984 Garnet to the semi-final round of the NCAA tourney, and he was voted as the Dutchmen’s MVP by his teammates following both his junior and senior years. The two-time captain was awarded the William B. Jaffe Medal and the William A. Pike Memorial Trophy. Named as the Albany Times Union’s “Player of the Year” in 1983, Stewart was voted as an All-American by AP following both his junior and season campaigns. Sports Illustrated recognized him in their “Faces in a Crowd” column after he threw touchdown passes in 30 consecutive games, tying him with Pro Football Hall of Fame member Steve Young (of Brigham Young and the San Francisco 49ers) for the all-division NCAA record in that category. At the time of his graduation, Stewart held Union records in career attempts (835), career completions (307), yards in a career (5,547), and touchdown passes in a career (55). Stewart’s 1,846 yards in 1983 ranked second at the time of his graduation.
