Wayne Schmader
Football, Class of 2010
Wayne Schmader was a tough, versatile interior lineman who played football for Warren High School from 1941 to 1944 under Hall of Fame coach J.B. Leidig. Recognized for his knowledge of the game and physical style of play, Schmader could handle center, guard, and tackle, making him an invaluable member of the Dragons’ line. Before graduating, his military service took him overseas during World War II, and he received his high school diploma by mail while aboard a troop ship bound for the European theater.
Assigned to the 410th Infantry, he entered combat in November 1944 and later spent two months hospitalized. After recovering, he was reassigned to the 39th Infantry Regiment, where he played football for the Army’s “Fighting 39th” through late 1945. Schmader became a starter on the team’s championship squad before being discharged in 1946 and returning home to Warren. His football career continued with the Warren Red Jackets, a respected semi-professional team that resumed operations after the war. Team owner Pete Fanaritis and player-manager Harry “Rosey” Rosequist sought out Schmader because of his reputation for toughness and his extensive knowledge of offensive line assignments. Competing alongside top players from high schools, colleges, the military, and the professional ranks, Schmader quickly became a regular starter on a formidable team.
Schmader helped the Red Jackets finish the 1946 season with an impressive 8-2-1 record before the team went undefeated during the 1947 regular season. That season culminated in a showdown against Erie for the Western Pennsylvania semi-professional championship at Erie Stadium, where approximately 8,500 fans watched the two teams battle in miserable, muddy conditions. Schmader anchored the line at center in a fiercely contested game that remained scoreless at halftime. Erie ultimately scored the only points of the afternoon to claim the championship.
Despite the defeat, the contest showcased the toughness and determination that defined Schmader’s playing career and the Red Jackets organization. His football journey—from Warren High School to military service in Europe and then to one of the region’s premier semi-professional teams—reflects both his dedication to the sport and his resilience during a pivotal period in American history. Schmader became the tenth member of the famed Warren Red Jackets organization inducted into the Warren County Sports Hall of Fame, joining a distinguished group of players, coaches, and contributors who helped establish the team’s legacy in Warren County athletics.
