University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Bob Schmidt, a four-year football letterman, played offensive tackle, checking in at 6-foot-4, 290 pounds as a senior.  During his four years as a Blugold, Schmidt became one of the most decorated offensive linemen in school history.  He was a member of two Blugold conference championship teams in 1998 and 2001.

At right tackle, Schmidt anchored an offensive line that paved the way for the Blugolds and their dominant offense.  He was a freshman contributor to Bob Nielson's 1998 team that was the first squad in school history to make the NCAA playoffs, advancing to the semifinals, and finishing with a school-record 10-3 mark.  As a sophomore he earned All-Conference honorable mention and both his junior and senior seasons he was a unanimous first team All-Conference selection.  During his senior season under Todd Hoffner, the Blugolds were ranked as high as No. 6 in the country and finished the season 8-2.

Schmidt was a Football Gazette All-Region first team pick in both 2000 and 2001. Following his junior season in 2000 he was named to the USA Football All-American second team and was a Football Gazette honorable mention All-American.  As a senior in 2001, he was named to the Football Gazette All-American third team and the D3football.com All-American second team.

Being an offensive lineman doesn't generate a lot of stats.  However, Schmidt's effectiveness can be measured by the fact that Blugold Hall of Famer Darrell Souhrada, the school's all-time rushing and rushing TD leader, ran behind the blocks of Schmidt for four seasons.

Todd Hoffner, the Blugold head coach for Schmidt's final three seasons, called Bob "a great student, but a better person and excellent leader."  He pointed out that while Bob was quiet, he had "a demeanor about him that was to be modeled by all.  He anchored our offensive line and helped our dominant offense lead to a championship."

In two seasons of track, Schmidt placed three times in the WIAC shot put including a pair of thirds and qualified for the NCAA outdoor meet one season.

Schmidt also became one of five Blugolds all-time to win the WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award for football.  And like his wife, Schmidt was a Blugold Super Six Award winner.  Both Schmidt and his wife earned CoSIDA Academic All-District first team honors.

Schmidt was a three-sport standout at Eau Claire Memorial.  He was an All-Northwest first team football player, at the time set a school record for pins in a season and career in wrestling, and set school records in the shot put and discus.  His shot put record still stands today.

Schmidt earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology with an emphasis in K-12 physical education in 2003 and has been teaching Elementary Physical Education in the Rice Lake Area School District since. During his tenure at Rice Lake, he has been an assistant football and wrestling coach and is currently an assistant track and field throwing coach.  He has also obtained his master's degree in Educational Leadership & Change.