Hall of Fame
SCHAEFFER SYNOPSIS:
· Two-Time All-PSAC Football Player (’79 [1st], ’80 [1st])
· One-Time AP All-America Honors (’80 [HM])
· Four-time PSAC Placewinner at Heavyweight
· Two-time Regional Placewinner at Heavyweight
· 14th in SU wrestling history for career wins
Ken Schaeffer was a standout offensive tackle for the Shippensburg football team and a four-time PSAC placewinner in wrestling.
In football Schaeffer played on the junior varsity squad in the fall of 1976 before red-shirting in the fall of 1977 to concentrate on wrestling.
He returned to the team in 1978 and won a starting berth at left tackle, a position he would solidify for three straight seasons. In 1979, his junior season, Schaeffer was named to the first team All-PSAC Western Division squad. He was a part of the offensive line that paved the way for Shippensburg’s rousing victory over Slippery Rock in a game held at the University of Michigan’s stadium.
As a senior in 1980, Schaeffer was a team captain and a force at left tackle, repeating as a first team All-PSAC Western Division pick in addition to receiving honorable mention All-American honors by the Associated Press and by ECAC Division II. Schaeffer also received the Ray Ellis Fighting Heart Award by the Shippensburg coaching staff, one of the most prestigious awards offered by the team.
Schaeffer’s blocking helped Shippensburg establish several school records during the 1980 season. They included most rushing attempts in one game (74), plays in one game (90), most plays per game for the season (80.1) and most rushing attempts per game (55.9).
In wrestling, Schaeffer finished sixth place at heavyweight four years in a row at the PSAC tournament – competing at a time when the entire league wrestled at the NCAA Division I level.
Schaeffer had 16 wins in each of his first three seasons and he also placed sixth at the NCAA Division I regional his junior year in 1979 and fourth in 1977, his freshman year. In 1980 he won 26 matches and had four pins.
For his career, Schaeffer had 75 wins. He was named SU’s most outstanding Freshman Wrestler and later named the team MVP after his senior season.
After graduation, Schaeffer was an assistant coach of the 1981 football team that advanced to the national semifinals. Currently, Schaeffer is in his 30th year of teaching at Newport High School. Since 1982, Schaeffer has also been an assistant football coach with the Buffaloes. He also works in the home inspection business. His wife, Ellen, also teaches at Newport. The couple has two children: Colin and Noah.
