Central commemorates 50th anniversary of Schipper debut
Central College
Pella, Iowa — Fifty years ago, a youthful John F. Kennedy moved into the White House and an even younger Michigan high school teacher became Central College’s head football coach.
Ron Schipper made his collegiate coaching debut that year and the Dutch haven’t had a losing season since. Schipper launched a College Football Hall of Fame career in 1961 and became one of the most influential figures in Central history. He not only turned the Dutch into a traditional NCAA Division III powerhouse in his 36-year career, but also built an athletics program that has produced 11 national team championships and 28 individual NCAA crowns. Central’s 410-97-3 (.807) football record in the past 50 years is the second-winningest percentage of any college or university in the U.S.
At the field which now bears Schipper’s name, Central commemorates the 50th anniversary of the coach’s debut at the football squad’s home opener Sept. 10 against Augustana College (Ill.). Game time is 1 p.m. at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium.
“A Half-Century of Winners: The Coach Schipper Tradition,” kicks off Friday, Sept. 9 with the annual Schipper Memorial Golf Tournament at the Bos Landen Golf Club in Pella. Schipper family members, including Joyce, will join the golfers for a dinner and short program following the tournament. Current Central coach Jeff McMartin and others will offer brief remarks. The meal and program are open to non-golfers as well.
Saturday, from 8-11 a.m., a memorabilia open house will be staged in room 216 of P.H. Kuyper Gymnasium. Photos, scrapbooks and videos of Schipper can be viewed and alumni are encouraged to bring their own memorabilia to share.
A pregame tailgate lunch under the Big Top will be offered, starting at 11 a.m. at the corner of West Third Street and Independence Street on campus. Cost is $6.50 per person.
At Saturday’s game, members of all 36 of Schipper’s Central teams will be recognized, with a special salute for his first squad, the 1961 team, which will celebrate its 50th anniversary reunion.
Immediately after the game, all Dutch alumni, fans and friends are invited to a free reception in H.S. Kuyper Fieldhouse. Several Central football alumni will offer remarks, with time for informal storytelling by others as well.
At 10 a.m. Sunday in the Chapel on campus, a worship service will be led by the Rev. Dave Henion ’75, a former Central football player.
For registration information and other details, contact the Central alumni office at 800-447-0287 or email alumni@central.edu.
Schipper, who died in 2006, compiled a 287-76-3 (.808) record from 1961-96 at Central. He piloted the Dutch to a record 18 Iowa Conference championships and claimed 10 crowns in his final 13 seasons. His teams made 12 NCAA playoff appearances, winning the 1974 crown while finishing second in 1984 and 1988.
In 1994 Schipper served as president of the 8,000-member American Football Coaches Association and was a member of the organization’s board of trustees from 1985-94. He was on Central’s board of trustees from 2000-03 and was the AFCA Division III all-star coach in the Aztec Bowl in Mexico from 2000-05. He also served on the NCAA Division III Football Committee for six years, including a year as chair, and on the NCAA Football Television Committee, the NCAA Football Rules Committee and the AFCA’s College Division All-America Selection Committee.
Schipper was Central’s athletics director from 1965-93 and was instrumental in helping launch the college’s highly successful women’s athletics program.
The championship tradition has grown following Schipper’s retirement in 1996. Schipper’s successor, Rich Kacmarynski, posted a 62-14 (.815) mark from 1997-2003. A 1992 Central graduate, Kacmarynski led the Dutch to four league titles and four NCAA berths.
McMartin, a 1990 Central grad, was also a player for Schipper and later a student coach. He’s posted a glossy 61-15 record (.802) with four league titles and four NCAA appearances.
The Dutch have captured a record 30 conference titles overall with 20 NCAA berths, the third-highest total in Division III.
