I was saddened to learn of the passing of former Tremper High School head football Coach Vern Schmale.
But it brought a smile to my face to read that the highlight of his coaching career was winning 3 of the first 4 conference championships after the new Southeastern Conference was created in Wisconsin.
I had the privilege of being the quarterback of the first of those championship teams, in the fall of 1970. My memories of Coach Schmale are that he possessed two characteristics that were critical to the success of our team.
The first was that he was a skilled manager…of all the people involved in the team (players, assistant coaches, support staff, etc.), and of all the business processes needed by the team (scheduling, transportation, equipment, etc.). Our team was successful because of how well Coach Schmale managed all of these aspects. I particularly recall how effectively Coach managed his staff of assistant coaches. He allowed his assistants freedom to be responsible for their particular area, but expected them to adhere to the high standards and performance expectations he established. Coach Schmale was also adept at knowing when it was necessary for him to step in and make executive decisions, for the good of the team.
The second characteristic that made Coach Schmale so effective was his leadership skills. Coach was a “cool, calm and collected” leader…exactly what our team needed. I recall coming to the sidelines during time-outs, with the team a little distraught if things were not going well on the field. Coach was always there to provide a positive, calming influence, which helped keep our entire team focused in the face of adversity. This was a major key to our success.
Coach Schmale taught my teammates and I many valuable life lessons along our journey…about sportsmanship, teamwork, and winning & losing. These lessons helped us grow into better adults, for which I am forever grateful.
The world has lost a great coach, and a great man, with the passing of Vern Schmale. I think I can represent the members of the 1970 Tremper football team in offering our sincere condolences to Lynn and Rock, and the entire Schmale family. It is my hope that when the pain of his passing subsides, the memories of the fun and success we shared with Coach Schmale during that 1970 championship football season will bring a smile to your faces, as they have to mine.
Mike Hughes