`nutcracker' Enlivens The Holiday

Alex Wrobleski 
Dec. 17, 1994 
Alex A. Wrobleski, 73, Of North Gates Avenue, Kingston, Died Saturday In 
Nesbitt Memorial Hospital, Kingston.

Wednesday, December 21, 1994 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 2B 





Wilkes legend retires &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Era closes with exit of coaching great Schmidt &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Rollie Schmidt, one of the greatest coaches in Wilkes athletic history, has
announced his retirement effective immediatelySchmidt, a member of the Wilkes
faculty and coaching staff for more than 32 years, coached football, baseball
and golf at the school. Schmidt was also a teacher in the physical education
department. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As football coach, Schmidt guided Wilkes in its glory days of the 1960s,
leading the team to a 32-game winning streak (including 11 shutouts) and two
Lambert Bowl championships. Under his guidance 65 players earned spots on the
MAC All-Star squad, and another 10 players made the ECAC All-Star team. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Schmidt stepped down in 1980 as football coach, finishing with a 90-73-1
record and five MAC championships. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As baseball coach, Schmidt guided the Colonels to their first MAC title, in
1968. His 11 wins that year were the first time in a decade that the baseball
team had reached double figures in wins. His final two teams combined for a
22-6 record. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 As golf coach at Wilkes for 22 years, Schmidt guided the Colonels to a
206-165-1 record and three MAC championships. His 1976 team was the best in
school history with a 16-0 record and a 14th-place finish in the NCAA Division
III national championships. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Schmidt most recently was inducted into the Wilkes University and Plains
Athletic Hall of Fames. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "It is the passing of an era," Wilkes athletic director Phil Wingert said
of Schmidt's retirement. "Under coach Schmidt's leadership, Wilkes football
established itself among the premier teams in the East. His expertise and
organization helped him succeed in all his coaching ventures. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "During his tenure at Wilkes, Rollie had a positive impact on many people
in both the classroom and in the athletic arena. He has been a valuable member
of the university, and we send every good wish to Rollie and his wife Marge
for much health, happiness, prosperity and many more years of togetherness." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Wilkes president Dr. Christopher Breiseth said that Schmidt had a positive
effect on the university during his tenure at the school. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Coach Schmidt had an immense influence on the university beyond the wins
and losses accrued on the playing field. I hope it has been a source of
pleasure to him to watch a later generation of coaches and students touch the
greatness that was his in the golden age of football at Wilkes. He has also
been a wonderful mentor to Wilkes golfers, and I hope that he will continue to
help our students with their swings. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 "Rollie has given 32 years of his life to fostering the growth and
development of hundreds of young men and women at this institution, not only
through coaching, but also in the classroom. We will certainly miss him and
wish both he and his wife the best in the future." &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Rollie Schmidt &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Wilkes Legend Retires 
Era Closes With Exit Of Coaching Great Schmidt 
Rollie Schmidt, One Of The Greatest Coaches In Wilkes Athletic History, Has 
Announced His Retirement Effective Immediately.

Wilkes Legend Retires Era Closes With Exit Of Coaching Great Schmidt Rollie Schmidt, One Of The Greatest Coaches In Wilkes Athletic History, Has Announced His Retirement Effective Immediately.