Obituary of Roland Rollie C. Schmidt

Legendary Wilkes University Colonel football head coach Roland "Rollie" Christian Schmidt, 82, of Dallas, passed unexpectedly on May 28,2015, at his private residence. Born on April 25, 1933, in Wilkes-Barre, he was the only child to his loving parents, the late Roland Sr. and Sarah Thomas Schmidt. Rollie attended Courtright Elementary and was a graduate of James M. Coughlin High School, class of 1950. At Coughlin, he was a standout athlete in football, wrestling, and the pole vault. He attended Bloomsburg State Teachers College (now Bloomsburg University) pursuing his bachelor's degree in teaching and education. After two years, he postponed his studies and joined the United States Army to serve our country during the Korean War. He served in the 137th ordnance company as an ordnance storage specialist. Returning home to Wilkes-Barre, Rollie married the love of his life, Margaret Dombroski, of Plains Township. They met at the age of 14 at a school dance and have been together since. On January 7, 1956, they were married. This year celebrates fifty-nine years of marriage. He returned to Bloomsburg University and completed his bachelor's degree, after which he earned a master's degree at the University of Scranton in 1963. Rollie started his teaching career in Clark Summit High School and was an assistant football and wrestling coach for two years. He then taught at Kingston High School for four years and was an assistant football coach. In 1962, he found his home at Wilkes College, now Wilkes University, where he was an associate professor of Physical Education. This was the first year he joined the Colonel's Athletic Department. In his thirty-two years of his career at Wilkes, Rollie achieved many accomplishments. He led the legendary Golden Horde football team and coached the Colonels for twenty seasons from 1962 to 1981, achieving a record of 92-73. His famous words of "PRIDE" & "POISE" would ring through the locker room. Schmidt engineered the third-longest winning streak in collegiate football history by winning 32 consecutive games over five seasons. This streak put the Wilkes football program into the national spotlight. His teams also won five conference championships and two Lambert Bowls. Schmidt's contributions to Wilkes went beyond the gridiron. He influenced hundreds of student athletes on the baseball diamonds and golf courses as well as in the college classroom. As the baseball coach, he guided the Colonels to their first MAC title in 1968. His 11 wins that season were the first time in a decade that the baseball team reached double figures in wins. For twenty six seasons, Schmidt coached the golf team, leading the colonels to a 214-179-3 record and three MAC championships. The 1976 team finished 16-0 and had a 14th place finish in NCAA Division III national championship. After over three decades of influencing young lives, he retired from Wilkes and was granted Emeritus Faculty status by the Wilkes Board of Trustees. Outside of school Roland was just as competitive in golf as were his athletes. Roland won several golf tournaments at Irem Temple Country Club, Fox Hill Country Club, and Pelican Bay Country Club. In recent years, his sportsmanship continued and he won several senior tournaments. He was also a member of the AGA executive committee, president for three consecutive years and Emeritus Member. Schmidt was a member of several Halls of Fame: the Plains Township, Wilkes-University, Bloomsburg University for his role on the 1951 undefeated football team; and the Middle Atlantic Conference. Presently, Rollie was an active member in the Irem Temple; Masonic Lodge # 61, Wilkes-Barre; Cadwell Consistory, Bloomsburg; and the Plains Township American Legion Post 558. After his retirement in 1994, Coach Schmidt was still active in the athletic program by helping to raise funds for future sports improvements to the Ralston Athletic Complex. In the beginning of the 2010-11 athletic season, a 1.6 million dollar improvement to the complex was complete. The complex added artificial turf, a field lighting system, new goal posts, scoreboard, and fencing. On September 24, 2011, the football stadium was renamed Schmidt Stadium at Ralston Athletic Complex in honor of Rollie's tireless effort to advance Wilkes Athletic Programs. Rollie is survived by his loving wife Margie, at home; sister in laws Marie Brace, Florence Dombroski, and Irene Rupert ;brother in law John Dombroski, 17 nieces and nephews, several grand nieces and nephews; cousins; and the entire Wilkes University family of students, faculty, staff, alumni, athletes, and friends. Services for Coach Schmidt will be held on Monday, June 1, 2015, at 6:30pm in the Wilkes University Dorothy Dickson Darte Center, Corner of West South St. and South River St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766. The family will be receiving visitors on Monday from 5:00pm to the time of the service at the Center. He will be laid to rest at a private service held at the discretion of his family. In lieu of flowers, please honor Rollie by making a contribution to the Wilkes University Roland C. Schmidt Memorial Fund, Attn: Development Department, 84 West South Street, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18766 or Shriners Hospital for Children, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.