WILLIAM STUMPF ('76): A native of Nashua, N.H., Bill Stumpf came to Plymouth State College in 1972, and quickly established himself as a defensive mainstay on Coach Tom Bell’s Panther football team.
With Stumpf and company holding Panther opponents in check, Plymouth State emerged as a New England Football Conference Power. PSC compiled winning records each season from 1972-1975, highlighted by a 7-1-1 record in 1974, when the Panthers finished just behind Nichols College in the NEFC standings.
That 1974 season also marked the first time that PSC had a football player accorded NAIA All-America status, when Stumpf received Honorable Mention recognition as a linebacker from the NAIA. (PSC was a member of the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics in those days.) Stumpf was the leading tackler for PSC in 1974, and set a team record with 21 tackles during a 21-6 win over Plattsburg State College
Stumpf also excelled on coach Gerd Lutter’s PSC track team, settling the all-time Panther shot put record.
After graduating from PSC, “Stumpy” played semi-pro football and has remained active as a coach with several youth programs in southern New Hampshire.
