Presented by

Week 3
Ken Schneider

1962-1964
Quarterback / Defensive Back

Where are living now?
Just east of Pickerington, in the country, On 4 1/2acres, in a house my wife Ellen and I designed and helped to build.

Married?  Children?
I was married to Ellen (Sapp), DeSales class of 66, for 48 beautiful and blessed years. Lost my soul mate this past March to pancreatic cancer.

I am blessed with a great family of three sons and daughter- in-laws Carey ( Sheila), Chad (Andrea) , Eric (Angel), and seven grandchildren.

What are you doing now?
Retired from teaching after 34 years in the field of Industrial Technology.  Industrial Technology teacher of the year in 1998.

I also coached Football for 20 years (Defensive coordinator at Pickerington), Baseball for 14 years (head coach for 7 years at Pickerington), basketball for 21 years (at Wherle, and Pickerington girls basketball; Head coach at Pickerington Central for 5 years).   

League Champions (5), District Champions (3), and a Regional title in 2006.  5-time Conference Coach of Year, District Coach of year three times.  Dispatch Agonis Coach of Year and Division-I Coach of the year in 2006.

What is the fondest memory from your playing career at DeSales?
As a program it would be the 1964 season. We went undefeated, CCL co-champs.  It showed a lot of people in Central Ohio that DeSales had arrived and to take notice!  I was so blessed to be a part of the beginning of the great traditions, and pride of the DeSales football program.

And to play three years and captain my senior year was more than I could have hoped for or imagined!  Again I felt so fortunate to be a part of it all and play, with a great group of athletes and for Coach Sharrock!

Describe what is like playing for Coach Sharrock?
Was a tremendous role model and leader.  He taught us pride and integrity in a firm but fair coaching approach.  He had the difficult task of making us believe in ourselves and giving us the confidence to grow and learn the game in those early years of building a program from scratch.  Always motivating us through those early losses and wins, and never give up attitude, not letting us get down.  He had a unique way pushing you if you needed it and patting you on the back when deserved.  When he spoke you took note!

He is the reason I became a teacher and coach! I still have my playbook from those years.  A great coach and role model.

The first year we were 1-7-1.  Each day at chalk talk the next year he would write 1-7-1 on the board.  Nothing else needed to be said , we all understood  what was expected of us this year!

And the rest is history.

What was your best game?
The Ready game my senior year.  It was a pivotal game leading to the showdown between DeSales and Watterson.  And, we were not playing well early, it was a 14 to 12 game going into the 4th quarter.

We had a a good 4th quarter.  For the game I had two passing TD's and two rushing TD's and an interception that lead to a TD in that 4th quarter that finally put the game away.

What made playing for DeSales special?
As I have said, to be part of the beginning of the great tradition and pride that would set DeSales apart for the future years to come gave myself and of my teammates great satisfaction.

Do you still follow the Stallions, and if so, how closely?
Yes, I follow them in the paper in all sports. Since I played three football, basketball and baseball. I enjoy talking about the schools accomplishments and that I went there !  

I get to some games.  But, I have my grandkids to follow and support also.

But the Purple Pride will always be close to my heart and soul!