Verlyn Schmidt

Cross Country and Track & Field Head Coach 1966-1981

"Verlyn Schmidt is the first Shawnee Mission South coach in history to have coached 13 State Championship teams. Coach Schmidt was cross-country head coach from 1966-1981 and was the track and field head coach from 1971-1981. During that time, Coach Schmidt coached 8 track and field championship teams and 5 cross-country championship teams. He also coached over 40 individual State Champions. His impact on the sport is immeasurable. So many of his athletes went on to become great collegiate runners and successful men and women in life. Though he was always pleased when his teams won championships, he took exceptional pride when his runners beat their personal records. Coach Schmidt did not only impact athletes, he also impacted coaches. Van Rose, who has won 36 State Championships in cross country at Shawnee Mission Northwest, had this to say to his friend and mentor Verlyn Schmidt, "We looked at South and said, '...maybe someday we can be as good as they are.' Your kids were tough, they never gave up. There were times we beat some of your guys. It was never time to celebrate beating the green and yellow. It was more a matter of celebrating the feeling of having pushed ourselves to the limits of our ability. Your runners brought out the best in us." Coach Schmidt coached all current Hall of Fame members from cross-country or track and field (except one), which is a huge testament to his coaching ability. So the Shawnee Mission South community eagerly welcomes Coach Schmidt to the Raider Athletic Hall of Fame. Welcome, Coach."