University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire

Dan Schmidt set an NCAA Division III national record when he won the 35-pound weight throw at the 1992 NCAA Division III indoor nationals. At the time of his induction, that mark of 62 feet, 6.75 inches still stood as a school record. He had placed fifth in that event in 1990 with a toss of 53-6.25, then was national runner-up in 1991 with an effort of 57-5.5 before unleashing his record throw as a senior. He was an 11-time NCAA All-American, placing at either the indoor or outdoor nationals in four different weight events. He set school records in three different events at nationals and they remained intact in 2007. Besides the indoor weight throw mark, he set a school discus record (170-5) in finishing second at the 1992 outdoor nationals and a school hammer throw record (187-5) in finishing fifth at the 1992 outdoor meet. He was also second in the shot put at the same outdoor nationals. He was second at the 1990 indoor nationals in the shot and third in the 1992 indoor nationals in the shot, giving him a total of six top three finishes.

He was a contributor to the first two team trophies brought home by a Blugold men’s track team from a national meet as the 1990 Blugold squad finished fourth in both the NCAA Division III indoor and outdoor nationals. In conference competition, Schmidt was the conference indoor and outdoor shot put champion in 1991 and the indoor weight throw gold medalist in 1990 and 1992.
A two-year team captain, Schmidt was the men’s track MVP in 1992 and was also tabbed by the student newspaper the Spectator as the Blugold Male Athlete of the Year in 1992.  He was also a two-time recipient of the Blugold Super Six Salute Award.

At the time of his induction, he was a business analyst for Schneider National, Inc., headquartered in Green Bay. This is his second stint with the company as his first position was as an application development analyst from 1992-96 following his graduation in 1992. He was a senior programmer analyst with ShopKo Stores, Inc. from 1996-2001, a senior analyst with Global Crossing, Ltd. in 2001-02 and an account manager with ZyQuest, Inc. from 2002-04 before returning to Schneider in 2004. Schmidt served as an assistant throws coach at Green Bay Southwest High School for two years and at the time of his induction, had been the head boys and girls throws coach at Ashwaubenon High School since 1999. He had coached six WIAA Division 1 state qualifiers with one All-State shotputter. For seven years prior to his induction, he has been a member of the Green Bay Packers game day press box staff.