Peter J. Schmidt Education Scholarship

About Pete Schmidt

Albion alumni, faculty, and staff lost a valued coach, mentor, colleague, and friend with the passing of Pete Schmidt, Sept. 29, 2000, following a year-long battle with lymphoma. After coaching football at Albion College for 15 seasons, Schmidt had joined the Indiana University football program in early 1997. As Indiana’s assistant head coach for football, he turned the Hoosier offense into one of high energy. Before coming to Indiana, Schmidt did the same with Albion College, developing one of Michigan’s best college football programs in the late 1980s and 1990s. He posted a 104-27-4 record at Albion.

His football teams at Albion won conference championships in 1985 and then 1989 through 1996, and appeared in NCAA postseason competition five times. In 1994, Schmidt coached the Britons to the NCAA Division III football championship, the first time an MIAA team had won a national championship in that sport. Albion’s record that season was a perfect 13-0. He earned numerous coaching honors that year, among them NCAA Division III National Coach of the Year.

Albion athletes excelled academically during the Schmidt years with five NCAA Postgraduate Scholars in football from 1993 through 1997. Every senior football player earning a letter also earned a degree from Albion, including eight first-team Academic All-America selections and 10 first-team Division III or small- college All-America picks.

Along with coaching football and women’s track, Schmidt also served as athletic director from 1992 to 1996.

Schmidt knew much about Albion College as an opponent, having played three sports at Alma College before graduating in 1970. Prior to coming to Albion, Schmidt was head coach at Okemos High School for seven years, earning six conference titles while posting three undefeated regular seasons and finishing as runner-up in the Class B playoffs twice.

Schmidt’s wife, Becky, is a high school English teacher in Bloomington, Ind. Their three children are: Amy, ’97, Peter, ’98, and Sarah, ’99.

Peter J. Schmidt Education Scholarship

In recognition of Pete Schmidt’s many contributions to Albion College as a coach, teacher, and mentor, President Peter T. Mitchell has announced that the trustees have established the Peter J. Schmidt Education Scholarship. This scholarship fund recognizes Schmidt’s commitment to teaching - a commitment shared by other Schmidt family members who are also dedicated teachers.

"Pete Schmidt brought so much to our Albion College community," said Paul W. Ungrodt, ’52. "He was a superb teacher and coach. He lived the Division III philosophy that academic excellence and athletic excellence can go hand-in-hand, and the young men and women he coached flourished under his guidance. Likewise, his championship ways built our pride in this special college. In establishing the Peter J. Schmidt Education Scholarship, we create a permanent tribute to Pete’s legacy."

Awards made possible through this endowed fund will be available to deserving students in the Fritz Shurmur Education Institute and will also provide a source of encouragement for young people to enter the field of education. Scholarships may not only help meet the financial needs of students, but may also assist with student research and professional development.

A bust of Coach Schmidt was placed near the football locker room for future teams to see the legacy that Pete left behind.

Contributions

Contributions to the Peter J. Schmidt Education Scholarship made in any of the following ways:

1.  Online
Click here to make an online credit card gift today!

2.  Telephone
Call the Annual Giving Office at 517-629-0565 to make a credit card donation. Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

3.  Mail
Contributions can be sent to: Office of Institutional Advancement, Albion College, 611 E. Porter St., Albion, MI 49224.