He attended the University of Chicago, where he starred in many sports, including track and field and football under the direction of the legendary Amos Alonzo Stagg.
When Cunningham returned to the Army after that season, Stegeman became the head coach of the football team and served in the position from 1920 to 1922.
In addition, he also became the head coach of the basketball, baseball and track and field teams in 1920.
His final group of Bulldogs won 23 of 25 games and Stegeman was regarded by many as one of the first great basketball "gurus."
In 1946, Stegeman Hall was named in honor of Stegeman and initially served as the home of the university's athletic and physical education departments; however, that building was demolished in the early 1990s in preparation for events hosted by UGA during the 1996 Summer Olympics.