RIPON, Wis. - Bill Schnese '79 is one of Ripon College Football's all-time greats, playing on the Redmen defensive line as a freshman, before switching to linebacker, where he was selected First Team All-Conference in each of his final three seasons. An Associated Press Little All-America selection as a Senior, Schnese helped Ripon win back-to-back Midwest Conference Championships in 1977 and 1978. He was inducted into Ripon's Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015.
"Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is not an honor bestowed on me," Schnese said during his induction ceremony. "It's an honor bestowed on everyone BUT me. It honors the people who made a difference in my life, my teammates and coaches, and it honors Ripon College."
A native of Appleton, Wis., Schnese earned Ripon's Most Improved Player Award as a sophomore when he led the team with 122 tackles, which ranks second in program history for a single season, in addition to three quarterback sacks. That led Ripon's College Relations Department to describe Schnese in 1976 as 'one of the most enthusiastic and emotional players on the Ripon defense.'
"Bill really thought he was (Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame Linebacker) Ray Nitschke. He acted like Nitschke, prepared his arms like Nitschke, and at times would even drag his leg like Nitschke. I think the vision a player has sometimes creates an action, which in turn gives you results," former Ripon Football Coach Bob Giesey said. "In my nearly 50-year career, I've coached thousands of players, but there are only three that stand out in my mind - former Michigan Head Coach (and Ball State Linebacker) Brady Hoke, (former Ohio State Linebacker) Anthony Schlegel, and Bill Schnese. I can assure you which one I would take first. It would be Bill Schnese, without question."
An Economics major, Schnese was a two-time Team Captain for Giesey at Ripon, helping the Redmen go 22-6 during his final three seasons.
"Bill was a great captain because he was chosen for that role by his teammates, rather than by our coaching staff. I will never forget players like him because they meant so much to me and to the College," Giesey said. "Bill is the football equivalent to a Navy Seal. He inspired his teammates every day in practice and during games, and he had this reputation throughout the conference as such a great player that opposing teams always ran away from him, forcing Bill to run them down to make the tackle."
Giesey coached at Ripon for four years (1976-79), with Schnese as one of the team's cornerstones for three of those seasons. Because of that, they will always share a place together in Ripon lore.
"Without Coach Giesey's leadership, knowledge, work ethic, and discipline, I wouldn't be the person that I am today," Schnese said. "He motivated his players and taught them a pure love for the game, fairness towards others, and a desire to win."
As impressive as Schnese's individual accolades are, he was just as proud, if not more, of helping Ripon become a championship team - something he did more than once.
"I was part of some pretty successful teams, while being surrounded by a lot of outstanding players and coaches, so I feel lucky and grateful to have attended Ripon when I did," Schnese said. "Ripon's football program taught me that the sport is 'A game of life," while learning that I can make a difference through commitment, perseverance, and dedication in order to become a better businessman, teacher, and father."
Of the 37 games Schnese played during the course of his career, there is one in particular that stands out, as the Redmen traveled to Madison to play the University of Wisconsin's varsity reserve team at Camp Randall Stadium in what was the Ripon football program's first-ever game on artificial turf.
"They didn't take a small Division-III team from Ripon very seriously, but we prepared all week like it was the Super Bowl and we shocked them by winning 27-24," Schnese said. "It was a fantastic win and we had an outstanding post-game celebration when we arrived back in Ripon, as we were greeted by students, friends, and people from the community downtown at the Wayside Bar."
One other thing that made for a well-rounded college experience for Schnese was his involvement in Ripon's Lacrosse team, which was a club sport. He continues to share his love for that sport today, as he began his own youth program in Dublin, Ohio, in which his three sons and wife Brenda are all active. He also returns to Ripon's campus most summers during Alumni Weekend to catch up with old friends during their annual Alumni Lacrosse Game.
"Ripon is where I learned that Lacrosse is not just a city in Wisconsin, but also a wonderful game," Schnese said. "My time playing Lacrosse at Ripon are some of the best moments of my life. The college supported our club sport requirements and we kicked some major butt all over the Midwest for four years, which was totally awesome."
Schnese and his wife currently reside in Dublin, Ohio where Bill is the Vice President for Sales and Marketing at MT Systems, Inc. He is also in his 24th season as a volunteer football coach at Dublin Coffman High School, while playing a significant role in the support and development of the Dublin Football League in which he provided coaching and leadership for 15 years.
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