Hall of Honor
The path Daryl Stevenson took to Houghton wouldn't be described as pre-ordained or predictable, but it definitely wasn't a surprise when he showed up on campus as a freshman in the fall of 1966.
Stevenson's parents were both Houghton graduates and his father, Herbert, was then serving on Houghton's board of trustees. Stevenson's brother and two sisters both graduated from Houghton, as did all three of his sons years later. In fact, more than 80 people in Stevenson's family tree are Houghton graduates.
You would have to say that Houghton was – and is -- in his family's blood.
However, Stevenson could just have easily worn the Red and Black of Roberts Wesleyan and joined some of his high school teammates and local rivals who were going there to play soccer. But the draw to Houghton was too strong.
Coming to Houghton didn't mean he lost his desire for competitive athletics. The three-sport athlete from Spencerport High School, had Houghton's traditional class athletics and the heated Purple and Gold rivalry to satisfy that need during his first year on campus. But as that first spring semester rolled around Stevenson and a few other top soccer players at Houghton were called to Coach Doug Burke's home to gauge their interest in being a part of Houghton's first intercollegiate team the next fall. The students enthusiastically pledged their commitments.
Stevenson and his soccer teammates played two games in the fall of 1967, getting a win at Messiah and losing a tough contest at Roberts Wesleyan. He went on to play two more seasons, captaining all three years and contributing 16 goals and five assists as the team went 13-14-1.
Stevenson takes great pride in being a part of those first teams and setting the foundation for Houghton soccer and Houghton intercollegiate athletics. He clearly recalls returning to campus to a hero's welcome after the team's road win over Messiah College that first season. Classmates cheering as the team buses circled campus will always be a strong memory of Stevenson's time at Houghton. Beating LeMoyne 5-4 after trailing 4-1 late in the game is another key positive moment. Other memories, such as his broken nose against RIT and a loss in his final game that kept the team from having a winning record, aren't recalled with as much fondness.
A natural leader, Stevenson served as freshman and senior class president, but he points to his soccer experience as a vital component to his growth as a leader. "It was an opportunity to have a role on campus that I wouldn't have had if we just had purple and gold. It shaped my time as a student. Athletes often look back at their college career and draw on the strength they developed during those times. What you remember are the trips, the guys you spend time with. You spent a lot more time with these guys. I love that my sons have all played athletics, both the memories they now have and the skills they have developed."
Coach Burke became a lifelong mentor and former teammates Paul Shea, Rich Stegan and Dick Halberg later became Houghton faculty colleagues. Coach Burke recalls Stevenson being particularly adept at winning balls in the air, but he points to his congenial personality, respect from his teammates and leadership ability as his most important traits. "Daryl made coaching the team easy. He was an intense player who played all out to win but with an attitude of good sportsmanship," says Burke.
A history major with a minor in education and psychology, Stevenson left Houghton in 1970 and took a job teaching and coaching at Brockport High School. Asked to teach a new psychology course, Stevenson found himself with a new passion and soon he was pursuing master's in counseling at Brockport State. He left Western New York in 1976 to get his doctorate in psychology in California with hopes of opening his own practice. But the Lord and Dan Chamberlain had other plans once Stevenson earned his doctorate. The former Houghton president invited Stevenson to join the college's faculty. With a heart for teaching and still bleeding Purple and Gold, Stevenson jumped at the offer and returned in 1982.
He was a member of the Houghton faculty for 24 years, earning Houghton Teacher of the Year in 1999, chairing two Middle States Accreditation processes, serving as a member of the Committee on Intercollegiate Athletics and later as chair of the Highlander 2000 fundraising project that culminated with the construction of Burke Field and outdoor track facility. He is particularly proud that his brick in the commemorative walk outside the Nielsen Center sits between two of his "heroes": Doug Burke and Bob Danner. "It's a joy to share that space with them," he says.
After retiring from the classroom in 2006, Stevenson served another seven years in administrative roles, including Associate Dean for Academics, Dean of Academic Administration and Director of Institutional Research and Assessment.
Stevenson has remained a fan of Houghton athletics, soccer in particular, and often found himself with former teammate Dick Halberg and Coach Burke along the sideline cheering on the Highlander teams, which later included his sons. Stevenson says he and Halberg watched hundreds of games together and just wishes the referees were as good as they were. "We haven't missed a call in 30 years," he says.
Now that he's retired, Stevenson has found plenty of things to keep him busy. He and his wife, Gudy, enjoy the moments they can spend with their three sons, Kyle, Tyler and Eric and their growing families. Another passion that has taken much of Stevenson's time and passion is woodworking, a skill passed down from his father. Stevenson's finely crafted projects have ranged from exotic bread boards, to conference tables, to children's toys, to many hope chests he has designed for the weddings of sons, nieces and nephews. Some of Stevenson's most visible works can be seen connected to houses and at other locations throughout the Houghton community. He has built 16 decks and porches, 1 pergola, 3 stone fireplaces and 2 trailhead kiosks around town. He says he loves the expression of artistic creativity and engineering these projects provide him.
