Stuart W. Aberdeen– (1935-1979)
Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1989
Stu Aberdeen, a native of Lewiston, NY and graduate of Springfield College, coached at Acadia from the fall of ’58 to the Spring of ’66, guiding the basketball Axemen to a position of prominence in competition against the best teams in Canadian intercollegiate circles.
During his eight-year stint at the helm of the Axemen, Stu directed his teams to six conference championships, five Maritime titles, a national crown and an overall 122-50 coaching record. He perennially was the coach-of-the-year and established a streak of 42 consecutive wins that became recognized as a Canadian Collegiate record.
In addition to his tremendous work in basketball, he served as Associate Professor of Physical Education, Assistant Athletics Director and Soccer coach. He directed the very successful University Summer Basketball Camp and was in charge of the famed Tip-Off Tournament.
On his arrival in Wolfville, Acadia was near the bottom of the Conference standings. Three years later, the Axemen were crowned Maritime Intercollegiate champs. From that point on, Aberdeen and his Axemen never faltered, becoming yearly conference representatives at the then newly-conceived National Championship Tournament.
Subsequent to his Acadia experience, Stu continued his coaching wizardry at the University of Tennessee, and then at Marshall University -where he coached prior to his sudden passing in June of 1979.
Sportswriter, “Ace” Foley, eulogized Mr. Aberdeen’s life and accomplishments thus:
He was only a wisp of a man, but when he went into action he commanded instant attention. Always the smallest man on the basketball court, Stu quickly took over and every tall player looked up to him for guidance and inspiration.
College basketball has become big in these parts and nobody contributed more to its success than Stu Aberdeen.
It is with a sense of pride that we posthumously induct into the Acadia Sports Hall of Fame, Mr. Stuart W. Aberdeen.
