Hall of Fame
Schnelker, a native of Detroit and graduate of Detroit Eastern HS, lettered the 1939, 1940 and 1941 seasons in football, and also received freshman numerals for football in 1938 and track in 1939. He was among the top all-around football players during this era, starting at fullback all three seasons and passing out of the tailback position. Schnelker also handled placekicking and punting duties on occasion.
Schnelker joins a long list of teammates into the Athletic Hall of Fame. The list includes Tom Adams, Nick Cherup, Frank "Ace" Cudillo, Robert Luby, Jack Rice and Jerry Sevick.
He led his sophomore and junior teams in net rushing and total offensive yards, and his sophomore and senior teams in scoring. Though extensive records were not kept during his career, Schnelker had 323 total net yards on 120 attempts in 1939 and scored a team-leading 29 points.
In the 1940 campaign Schnelker accounted for 378 total net yards on 111 attempts and scored 11 points, including point-after kicks. Schnelker's return to the 1941 team was somewhat of a surprise, since it was thought by many that he had joined the U.S. Army. The 1941 team struggled, scoring only 24 points on four touchdowns in eight games, but Schnelker accounted for 12 of those points on two TD's, both in winning efforts over Central Michigan (6-0) and Eastern Michigan (12-0). He also handled the punting chores for the 1941 team, and against Western Michigan recorded punts of 67- and 75-yards.
Schnelker was cited three times for his football exploits in "Who's Who in American Universities" in 1939, 1940 and 1941. Upon conclusion of his Wayne Career he received professional tryout offer from the Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers.
Instead of finishing school and playing pro football, Schnelker enlisted in the Army in March 1942. An Officer Candidate School graduate, he spent several months training for the invasion of Europe, which he participated in as a member of the 83rd Infantry Division at Omaha Beach. Schnelker was wounded twice in European campaign, and his World War II commendations included two Bronze Stars of Valor, tow Purple Hearts, the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Infantry Badge.
After convalescing in England and returning to the United States in late 1945, Schnelker finished his college degree at Wayne, receiving a B.S. in Education in 1946. He then took an appointment as a first lieutenant in the Regular Army, and would remain in the U.S. Army until February in 1971 when he retired as a Lt. Colonel.
During much of his career Schnelker served in the Military Intelligence Corps as an intelligence officer. He served in Korea immediately after the conflict ended, and received the Chung Mu Distinguished Service Medal with Silver Star from the Korean military.
Schnelker also served tours in Japan, Munich and Frankfort, Germany, and was stationed in Saigon during the Tet Offensive in 1968. While in Viet Nam Schnelker was honored with the ARVN's Viet Nam Campaign Medal with Device 60, the Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class, his third Bronze Star, and the Meritorious Service Medal.
Upon his retirement Schnelker and his wife, Helen, retired to Florida to begin a second career in newspaper publishing. Schnelker was general manager of the Seminole Citizen News for a decade until selling the paper.
During his military and newspapering careers both Schnelker and his wife have been very active in community affairs and organizations. Both reside in Longwood, Fla. They are parents of four children, Mary Karen, Carrie Lynn, Linda Marie and Jerry Jr., and have six grandchildren.
