Ron Schipper memory blog
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Posted 4:00 p.m. on March 28.

Rick Coles
In 1996, while the head coach at Lawrence University, I made the comment upon the occasion of Ron Schipper’s retirement that Coach Schipper was a hero to a lot of us in Division III, not just because he won, but because he is an educator, his teams played with class, and his players were better people for playing for him. I said that Coach Schipper was not the Joe Paterno or Tom Osborne of Division III, but that those men were the Ron Schippers of Division I.

10 years later I feel even more strongly about that statement. Though I didn’t play at Central (I’m Coe ’79), I got to know Coach Schipper by reputation through my friendship with Steve VanderPol (Central ’79) and other Central football players. When I became a college football coach in 1985 and got to know him personally, his reputation was reinforced with me through the man himself. He WAS what everyone said he was. How often does that actually happen? He lived what he preached. Even though I never had the privilege of playing for him, I loved him as though I had.

Central College has lost a great man. Perhaps more importantly, college football has lost a great man and a great leader. No one has done more for Division III on a national level than Coach Schipper. No one has preached integrity to coaches on a national level more, or more effectively, than Coach Schipper.

I also know that behind any great man is a loving, patient, supportive, and strong woman. Joyce Schipper has lost her husband, and their children have lost their father. Our hearts and prayers go out to them, and to all who knew and loved Coach.

Thom Summitt '74
To Mrs. Schipper, Tim, Sara and Thom. My heart and prayers go out to all of you and your families. I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling right now but your faith will get you through this. May God be your strength during these difficult times. Lean on each other and know that you have hundreds of friends who are praying for you and will be there if you need them. I am very thankful that you shared your husband and father with me while I was at Central and later in my life. He was an inspiration to me and like you and so many others, I will miss him. God Bless.

Randy Misfeldt '79 and family
In 1979, we seniors thought we were pretty hot stuff. We were going to roll through the conference and on to the playoffs. I guess we thought all we had to do was show up and it would be handed to us. Well, it was handed to us (our heads that is). It got so bad, we were in danger of being the first losing football team in CUI memory. Coach challenged us as a team and me individually to step up and salvage the season. He demoted me and moved me to another position where we were thin. I was miserable. However, like the lost son, I went back to beg for his forgiveness and my old job back. He just smiled and asked what took me so long. After that, I totally committed to play the best I could and so did the rest of the team. We ended up winning 4 of the last 5 games and having a winning season. What a great life lesson.

When I think of Coach Schipper now words like enthusiasm, commitment, discipline, integrity, hard work, and above all, love always come to mind. I'm sure like many other thousands of people he touched, I would like to thank God for having placed coach Schipper in my life. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Stephen Paris '73
We have lost the heart & sole of the Central family. A role model for all mankind. He represented all the great qualities behind the concept of Division III athletics. It was a privilege to have known him and an honor to have played on his football team.

Travis Sterling '93
Monday morning 7a.m., March 27, 2006, I sat in my clinic office surrounded by memories of playing days gone by and of pictures of the current players and coaches. Dazed not wanting to believe the news the first thing I did was call Coach DeWaard hoping it wasn’t true…. it was.

As the day wore on I was detached as I moved from patient to patient apologizing for my somber mood.

As my last patient left I thought I maybe should go home and just skip my normal Monday lifting session in the Schipper Center. Then a voice from the past barked out “Sterling, get your workout in!”

I listened but wasn’t convinced the voice was right, and trudged over to the Schipper Center. It was around 5pm and the place was packed with student-athletes, all of the equipment was being used and the music was pumping. You could feel the energy coming out of the place. I ran into Kevin Sanger and Matt Paulson, both Central greats, and we reminisced a bit, each trying not to let the other know how much we were hurting.

As I tried to stay focused on my workout and bust through the next set I thought to myself….

“Coach Schipper is up in heaven looking down over the top of his glasses at this scene in the weight room with his coaching hat on slightly crooked, looking at me, the current athletes, former players/coaches and all of this energy and passion in the building named in his honor with a big smile thinking, “This is how it should be at Central College on a Monday afternoon.”

I told him many times how thankful I was for everything he did for me personally and Central Football, but I’m saying it again. “Thanks so much for everything Coach, I wouldn’t be where I’m at without you!”

To the Joyce and the Schipper family…thanks for letting your husband and father touch so many lives at Central College.

Jeff Anderson '77
Coach Schipper was my second father, my mentor, and my freind. He had a huge impact on my life then and now, thirty years later. He was a great leader, teacher, role-model, motivator and his teams had nothing but love and respect for him. He molded teams of small town boys into winners year after year! I have never know anyone who has touched as many lives in such a positive way as Coach Schipper.

Thanks for all you did for us Coach!!!

Terry Haines '86
I came to know clearly throughout my life that Coach Schipper cared about people. He preached and exemplified: integrity, discipline, passion, intelligence and work ethic. By caring enough to understand the man behind the uniform, he built young men of character. Football just happened to be the platform God gave him to accomplish it.

In addition to the fact Coach Schipper gave me the opportunity to participate despite a lack of size, talent or experience (and having been a longstanding member of the "meat squad", I can attest to the fact Brad Havran and Paul Buwalda and the rest of the 1984-5 D could hit); twenty years before Coach had already tremendously impacted my family's lives.

After playing his Freshman year for Coach Schipper, my father was called into his office. Skip asked why he was at Central.
My father enthusiastically answered to play football for you Coach. Coach Schipper quickly corrected this misperception with "The H_ll you are!". Dad was informed that he had played his last down at Central unless he set up residence in the library and his grades improved and that he was in Pella to receive an education, period. Football was simply a privilege he was about to lose.

My dad's father was not much of an example and that meeting profoundly influenced his life. He went on to a successful football career the next 3 years. But that is almost unimportant. My father used that lesson to improve his grades, become the first person in his family to attend and graduate college, has been an excellent father to four children, built a successful business and subsequently spent the last 31 years as a missionary impacting thousands of lives, including four visits last year to Indonesia for Tsunami relief.

To a significant degree, I have Coach Schipper to thank for the positive home I was raised in. My sons never had the privilege of knowing Coach Schipper, but to them he will always be a giant because of the difference he made in our family. Thank you Coach. You are missed.

Andy Thompson '85
We are very very sad at that news. My dad, Bill started at Central the same year, 1961, and my dad and Ron were very good friends and colleagues during the years 1961-1968 my dad worked at CUI. We visited Ron and Joyce in Holland five years ago and they seemed very happy to be near grandkids, but still engaged with football with their son Tim.

It's been a tough couple of months for Central, as these pillars of society (and good friends) like Ron and Don Butler are lost.

Bill Plein '80
I was never a football player at Central College, so I never got to experience Coach Schipper as a "coach." But I have some great memories of Coach Schipper that turned into lessons of life for me that I carry with me today!

Coach Schipper was a great "teacher" of the game. I remember listening to him talk football during a class when I was a student at Central, and it struck me that he was a coach that didn't coach as a job, but rather a man that had a tremendous passion for the game and wanted everyone else to "catch" that passion for the game!
So Lesson #1--Coach for the love of the sport, not for a paycheck. I truly believe that Coach Schipper would have paid for the opportunity to teach young men the great sport of football.

As a wrestler at Central, I often "ran" into Coach Schipper during my many workouts. He always treated me with respect and regard, something that surprised me since I held him is such high esteem. But that did not mean that he would allow me to escape his stern messages. One evening, when I won a big match, I was showing my excitement and probably being a bit disrespectful of my opponent. Coach Schipper asked me if I was supposed to or expected to win? When I replied yes, his statement really caught me off guard. He said, " Then why are you celebrating what is expected of you. Celebrate what is NOT expected of you!"

I learned humility and to respect my opponent all the time that day, although it took some time for me to truly understand his wisdom! Lesson #2 has been something that I try to teach the young athletes I work with today.

Aaron Margo (Grove City College)
I had the honor to play on the 2005 Aztec Bowl Team under Coach Schipper. This was truly one of the great experiences of my life. One of the main reasons was having the opportunity to play for a legendary coach like Coach Schipper. His attitude and passion for the game was remarkable. Despite the fact that it was an All-Star game, he still made sure to teach us many things, and to be sure that we had fun. I am sure that every member of that team, and anyone who has played for Coach Schipper, can echo these same thoughts. He will not only be greatly missed by his family, friends, and former players, but by the entire football community. It was a privilege to play under him, and on the last team that he coached.

Jann Freed '77
While there are no words that really capture the essence that we will all remember and is not easily found or imitated, the world is a little less kind, little less wise, little less giving than it was on Sunday.  As we all know, he was so much more than a coach.

Libby Hysell '03
My thoughts on Coach Schipper are hard to put in words. I remember whenever he was on campus everyone wanted a chance to see him and get one of his huge hugs, or just see him smile. He was always so happy and loved Central. But, most importantly we all loved him. I remember seeing him talk with a group of football players as I was walking up to softball practice one day, and I just thought how awesome it was for those players to have contact with the person who is “Central Football”. He definitely had a passion for life and taught so many people that athletics was more than just winning, it was about the person you would become after your competitive days were over. Thank you Coach Schipper, for making a difference in my life. I hope now that I am a coach I can pass the passion and the fullness of life on to my players. My deepest sympathy to the Schipper family

Mike Unrein '91
To Joyce and family, my heartfelt condolences on your loss. There was a tremendous amount of time Coach put in to supporting his "second" family at Central, that I am sure came with a personal sacrifice of time with his own. Thank you for supporting him and letting so many of us become enriched by knowing him. I am forever in your debt.

Coach Schipper taught so many lessons that have taken me years to fully understand and appreciate. Not a day goes by where I don't apply something I learned from Coach. One of my favorite stories and lessons was during my time in the early 90's on his coaching staff. Rick Kac and myself had some "bright" ideas on how to liven up our passing game and had spent hours working on some different plays and formations. We were dying to show Coach our "brilliance". After 5 minutes of presenting our ideas, Coach asked us "when we would get it?" Perplexed we asked what do you mean? "Plays are great, but spend more energy making sure your players will run through a brick wall for you." The lesson carries with me today in the business world, new products are great, but people make a successful company.

People at work still look at me funny when I say things like "let's put the hay in the barn" or we need to pick it up with a little "gynegar" or "isn't a great day to be alive" let's go get some work done.

Each of us who were touched by Coach carries with us a burden in living and leading our lives in a manner he would be proud of.

God bless Coach Schipper and his family.

Orv Otten (Head football coach at Northwestern)
On behalf of the Northwestern College football program I wish to extend our condolences to the family of Ron Schipper. As a player I had the privilege to compete against Schipper-coached teams and knew that they would always be very well prepared. Each year, the game between Northwestern and Central was one of the most highly-anticipated games on the schedule. We knew it would be a battle that neither team would concede easily.

As I grew through the coaching ranks I got to know Coach Schipper through personal conversations, and by watching him function as a leader among coaches. He was a man deeply passionate about the game of football. He promoted the game as a great way for young men to learn about life. In conversations with Ron, it was very easy to feel his passion for the game; and an even greater passion for people. He loved his family and he loved his players.

We have lost a special man, but Coach Schipper’s principles and passion will live on in the hearts and minds of everone he touched. Our prayers go out to the family of Ron Schipper and the entire Central College football family.

Fred Jung '68
It is with the utmost respect and admiration that I express my deepest sympathy upon the death of Coach Ron Schipper. Please pass my personal thanks to his family for the support that he provided during my years as a student at Central College. I am especially grateful for the fact that he recognized my innate abilities which allowed me to contribute, in my own small way to the success of the team.

He made a difference in my life by emphasizing personal contribution, dedication and team effort. Thanks to him, I have been able to use his successful philosophy in all of my personal endeavors.

Although these few words can never express the gratitude that I have for his positive influence on my life, be assured that I have thought of him often and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.

May God bless you in your deepest sorrow, while you celebrate and rejoice in the joys of his life.

Marty Sojka '81 and Family
Central College, Football, and the Country lost one of the great men of all time. Coach touched so many people, it is hard to image. My feeling go out to his family. He will truly be missed.

Roy Ross '66
It was with great shock and sadness that I've learned of Coach Schippers passing and my deepest regrets go to his family and close associates. Coach made a huge impact on my life when I needed it the most. He coached football very well.... but what he really did for those who would listen was to teach us life's essential lessons, and instill in us values that we could use for life. The football was great, everything it should have been, but all memories now...but the life lessons and values are still there, still important, and still in use. That's what I'll remember...

David Bequeaith '86
Coach Ron Schipper was a gem. In an age of relativism, he had values and he applied them relentlessly, whether you wanted to hear them or not. It took me many years to realize that when you’re right, you don’t have to back down. He believed in his values and he never apologized for that.

As players for Coach Skip, we admired him, mimicked him and even feared his tirades during Monday night game films. He never failed to miss the one time (ok, maybe several each game) that I did not explode off the ball at the snap. “Let’s see if Bequeaith gets off the ball this time!” he would roar as he replayed each frame for the 18th time in slow motion, my fingers frozen in the turf yet again for my peers.

I don’t think I was mature enough to get all of Coach Schipper’s instruction while playing for him at Central College. Sure, I understood a lot of his communication but it took me another 20 years to realize that he was coaching us for a much bigger playing field. We knew he loved us and had high expectations for all of us. I spoke with him 10 days ago and was lucky enough to tell him how much I understood him now and tried to live by his standards. I miss him already but hope to share his energy and code of conduct with my family, friends and business relationships.

Brad Stover '78
I never knew Ron Schipper personally. However, as a Central alumni I am keenly aware of the many lives he touched, particularly the student athletes, throughout his long relationship with Central College, its students, faculty, and staff. I will always remember the spirit that permeated our campus during the fall of 1974 as Coach Schipper let the Flying Dutchmen to the NCAA National Football Championship. I am grieved to hear of his passing and know that this loss is heartfelt by everyone within the Central family. My condolences to the Schipper family...

Dennis and Nancy Argo
As a parent of one of the many students that Coach Schipper taught at Central College we would like to offer our sincere sympathy to the Schipper Family. We watched and listened to a wonderful individual that taught our son and others so much more than just football techniques and the importance of winning and losing on a given Saturday. We are sad tonight but so thankful that the opportunity to be involved at Central College. May Coach Schipper rest in peace. Our love to all of the family. Thanks to all the family for sharing your husband and father with all of us.

Park Woodle '76
Well done, good and faithful servant!

Coach Schipper was a great role model and example to pattern one's Life after. His thankful comments after receiving his recent CUI award were so humble, yet so filled with wisdom.

Bob Pentico '64
The words are blurry. Tears have a way of doing that to the eyes. The only comfort I have are the many cherished memories of my Coach, my role model, my fellow Central Trustee and most of all my Friend. Ron Schipper's spirit will live on. Other's words say it better and they certainly echo my feelings. A giant. A legend. A top quality human being. I have always been so thankful that I was able to play on Coach's first Central football team.

Joyce, Tim, Sara, Thom and your families; please feel the warmth from my heart.

Love you Coach. Good bye.

Greg Thomas '90
The news of Coach Schipper’s passing has saddened us all in the Central community and beyond. To try and fathom the impact Coach has had on his players, family, friends, football community and our society is impossible to measure. As I left Central and went into coaching and teaching, I have realized over the years the lasting impact Coach Schipper has had on my life. He is in the top three people whom have touched my life and helped to mold who I am today.

His records of wins and losses, conference championships, playoff appearances, the National Championship and records set on the football field are truly amazing. The fact that he did it his way, by his high standards, with young men he demanded to be students, athletes and gentlemen, is even more impressive. He lived what he preached. You got exactly what you saw. He saw the good in a person, and he kept pushing until the good in you came out. He truly expected the very best from people.

For all the accomplishments he earned on the football field, his greatest accomplishments are found in the lives of the men who played for Coach. His lasting legacy is the many people he has molded and shaped. He will live forever in the hearts of the lives he has so richly and deeply touched. And in part because of him, those young men will continue to touch the hearts and souls of others for generations. Rarely do we get a chance to have an experience with someone as special as Coach Schipper. There is no doubt we have lost one of finest men who ever walked the sidelines.

To his family, I extend my deepest sympathies. You all can be so very proud of Coach Schipper. He taught a lot more than football to his players. You are in our thoughts and prayers. May God continue to bless you and your lives. Thanks so much for sharing Coach Schipper with us all. The only way Coach could do what he did, is because his family saw the value in his life’s work. You made tremendous sacrifices to allow Coach to live his “calling”. Our society is all the better for it.

Jeff Staton '88
Coach Schipper was a great man. Anyone that played for him can probably still visualize him holding up three fingers (sometimes four) and saying, "Men, I expect you to be a student, an athlete and a gentleman." Coach Schipper was all three of those things and so much more. He was one of those rare people that made you a better person just by being around him and being influenced by him.

In 1984 I had made up my mind after several campus visits that I was going to attend Simpson College. My father, Jerry Staton, who is also a football coach, told me that the decision was mine to make but asked that I go visit Ron Schipper at Central College before I made my final decision. After ten minutes talking with Coach Schipper, my decision was made to attend Central. He lived up to every word he said in that recruiting pitch.....and so much more.

Joyce - You made many sacrifices being a coach's wife. Thanks for sharing him with us.

Lance Newbold '85
Coach Schipper and the Dutch football team contributed to making many great autumn Saturday afternoons during my years at Central (1981-1985). The magical year of 1984 and the Stagg Bowl in Ohio will always be among my favorite memories of Central. But the real impact of Coach Schipper went well beyond the football field. No student came through Central College that was not impacted by Coach. Thanks, Coach, for all you did for Central College.

Charles Koons '79 and family
Although Coach Schipper gave me many fond memories, my most treasured was a day I figured I was in trouble.

It was the Upper Iowa game in 1975, I was a freshman and allowed to suit up for my second varsity game. Central was winning handily and the coaches allowing everyone a moment of playing time called my number. I ran on to the field, excited, scared, but determined. We lined up, I was playing defensive tackle, the ball was snapped and in my youthful exuberance I launched a forearm that, according to the Monday night films, was less that legal. The offensive tackle took it on the chin and was not impressed as I had already gotten past him when he turned grabbed me by the shoulder pads and pulled me back with one arm. He was a rather large fellow, and commenced beating me about my helmet and shoulder pads. I stood dumbfounded as my fellow players separated both of us. As I looked up the referee pointed to me and said “you’re out of the game”. At that moment horror set in. I was not in fear of a lecture, or punishment I might receive for perceived unsportsmanlike conduct, but it was that I had disappointed Coach Schipper, Central College football players do not get ejected from games! I could take the punishment, but to disrespect Coach by acting in an unsportsmanlike manner was more that I could bear.

I ran to the sidelines and began to cower hoping that Coach would not find me. Suddenly, my name is called and Coach is standing right there in front of me. He comes up to me and asks “what did you do?” Before I could even answer, his eyes narrowed and then that wonderful smile of his broke out on his face, he wrapped his arm around my shoulder pads and gave me a big hug. He knew all along that I had not acted out of anger or malice and he eased my fear with just a smile and hug. To this day that smile is as bright in my memory as it was that day.

That is the way I remember Coach. A man who could motivate you with a look, eased you with a smile, and compelled you to succeed just by his manner.

I know that I speak for all my fellow Central College teammates when I say, Coach Schipper, we respected him as a Coach, loved him like a father and admired him as a man.

To the family of Coach Schipper, my sincerest condolences and know that you are in our prayers.

Jon Klaassen '98
When I heard the news Monday evening, my heart ached and my mind was immediately flooded with thoughts and memories of Coach Schipper. His emotion and passion never failed to move me. This morning, my first thought was for his family. I want to sincerely thank the family for sharing Coach Schipper with all of us over the years. I know I speak for all of those touched by Coach Schipper when I say that our hearts and prayers are with you as you grieve.

The impact Coach Schipper had on lives can never be measured, because it continues every day through all of our actions. The chain did not start with Coach Schipper. He was surely inspired by his family and possibly his teachers and coaches. The most important lesson Coach Schipper taught me is that we are not born to greatness. We choose to be champions by our passionate pursuit of excellence. Although the avenue to greatness is available to all, too few choose that path; because of Coach Schipper’s life, many more have. We must all pick our own special vocation that arouses our passions. If we do that, we have chosen to be part of what is special and good in the world, we will be role models for others, and the spirit of coach Schipper will live through us and all future generations.

Coach Schipper inspired me to become a teacher. Everyone can envision how a football coach could be a good educator, but only those who have been a part of the Central College Football Program can truly comprehend what it means for a football coach to be an educator. The first time I met Coach Schipper, he drew his famous recruit drawing on a yellow legal pad (I still have it). He told me that Central College would provide me the opportunity for a first class education and that football would be an integral part of that education. I believed him. To this day, I am still discovered the depth of the statement he made to me twelve years ago.

I want to reach out to the entire Central College Community and especially all those who were part of Central College Football Family. We all grieve together and we were all part of something very special. I feel very close to you all right now. I pray that we all live with the memory of this special man in our hearts and that we chose to live in a way that honors all he stood for. “It’s a great day to get better.”

Tilly Van Egmond '83
To the Ron Schipper family,
I'm so sorry to hear about Ron's death. I was a female athlete at Central and really respected Coach Schipper for all he did for the mens programs, but also for the women's programs. It was 1979 when I remember coach Schipper always greeting me in the gym with a warm hello when ever he saw me. What a great man both in the big athletic picture and on a personal level.

Charlie Jones' 69
I, like all who just got the word that Schipper past, am shocked and truly lost for words. He was a mountain of a man! He was more than a coach. He was teacher, friend, confidant and a great role model for all the students that he encountered along the way and there were many. I consider myself a better person because of him. Although he is gone his spirit will live on forever, particularly in the hearts and minds of all that knew him. My prayers and thoughts go to the family at this very difficult time.

Tim and Karen (Furda) Trotman '70
A legend is often defined by his professional accomplishments. But to us coach Schipper's legendary status was his ability to develop and maintain personal relationships. Thirty-five years after playing football and attending Central, he was still recruiting. At our daughter's 2005 Central graduation, he greeted us, hugged us, shook our hands, asked about our kids, how the crops did and talked to three more of his Central "kids" in our short few minutes together. He not only cared about Central and football, but more importantly cherished the individuals that made his program great. Thanks, Coach!

Scott Argo '90
It is hard to put into words the effect this one man had on the lives of so many. To say the he changed lives is too much of an understatement. An inspiration, father figure, mentor, friend, role model, a COACH. He was not afraid to laugh with us or cry with us. How many people can go through life without enemies? Even his greatest rivals can call him friend. Generations of lives changed for the better. Some days the bottle of “Ginegar” has more vinegar than ginger, this is one of them.

Ross McCarty '80
Coach Schipper's Priorities in Life
First Comes GOD
Second Comes Family
Third is School
Then Comes Football

Coach taught and lived by those priorities. I continue to use these priorities in my own life and hope I taught them well to my sons. Thank you Coach Schipper. God bless Coach Schipper and his beloved family.

Kevin Robinson '96
To the Schipper Family,

My thoughts and prayers are heavy with you as you celebrate the life of Ronald Maurice Schipper. I am humbled and proud to have been able to call him coach.

Where to begin, I think I know, “Son, if you come play for me you are going to be a gentleman, a student, and then an athlete.” Those words ring in my ears everyday it seems since meeting Ron Schipper. They are usually followed by his standard delivery of, “Your attitude determines your preparation, your preparation determines your performance, and your performance determines your success. You can’t succeed unless you first have the right attitude.” Ron Schipper repeatedly remarked those words in countless homes, at countless practices, and to an exponential number of players, students, and friends. To me Ron was always the coach and mentor. I’ll never forget one day a friend of mine at Central who was not involved in athletics, wasn’t that great of a student, and didn’t really stand out in a crowd, came up to me and said, “You know Kevin, that Skip is quite a guy. Every time he sees me on campus he always says hi to me followed by my name, how does he know my name?” If that story doesn’t speak volumes of who Ron Schipper is, I don’t know what will.

As I sit here in my office I wonder how many former players, like me, the minute they heard the news were breathless, speechless and humbled instantaneously. How many printed off the news and taped it to the door of their office just so co-workers would read it and say, so who was this guy, was he your coach? Our reply to them is, “Let me tell you about Skip……” How many like me are saddened to the point of tears and run the gamut of emotions from pride to tears and back to pride all in the same moment. I would like to think everyone who knew him and played for him.

The first things to go up in my office are my mini Central College football helmet, my Brian O’Donnell Award, and my Athletic Award on the wall. I put these things out so people ask, “Where is Central at anyway?” I can then tell them all about Ron Schipper and his philosophy on life, football, and people. Since I have graduated from Central College I have given numerous speeches to every group from bankers, to High School National Honor Societies, to High School Football teams, to Scouting organizations. At the center of every speech is Ron Schipper.

In today’s rising market of educational costs I am often asked by many of my co-workers and professional colleagues, “Kevin, if you had it to do all over again would you go to a private college.” My response is always the same, “You know, I could have played football at a mediocre Division II program on scholarship, I could have attended classes at a less expensive college, I could have made friends on probably any campus I would have attended, but there is only one place I could have played football for Ron Schipper, yes, I would do it again in a heartbeat.”

Thank you coach for helping to mold my life, thank you coach for never giving up on me, thank you coach for your tough fatherly love, thank you coach for being you and holding tight to your guiding principles and your moral compass, thank you for being “Skip”.

In closing I would just like to send a message to all of the athletes who had the opportunity to play for Skip during his tenure at Central College. I was fortunate enough to play on Skip’s last squad in 1996, my senior year. I would like you all to know how much he talked about all of you during that year. Every practice we would learn more about the players he had coached, I think, than the plays we were going to be running against the next week’s opposition. He frequently talked about Buddha, Fitzsimmons, and several others; it was quite a site to behold. He took great joy in talking about the players who may have never started or had prestigious honors placed on their shoulders, how he admired their dedication and commitment.

Travel safe coach to your next game and I don’t think the Lord will care if you chew a little on the refs and throw your hat down in disgust on the sidelines about a poorly executed play in heaven. I hope one day that I will be able to suit up for you again and make you proud, in heaven.

Coach Staton (Oskaloosa football coach)
There it was in the news papers and on television: 287 wins and 67 losses. There is no getting around the fact about that being an amazing record for any football coach. It is understandable that the media focuses on the 36 straight winning seasons (an NCAA record) and the championships won. So very many people have driven their red cars so long they have no way of knowing anything else.

Coach Ron Schipper lead more teams to victory than just about any other coach in college football history. But those who know him well, played for him or coached with him know his depth of character goes way, way beyond the wins. He did not talk to his teams about winning football games. He talked about becoming the best person they could become.

College recruiters come into high schools all the time. They usually ask who the coach has that might be able to play college football. Coach Schipper would come to visit and as if he could meet with one or perhaps two players and ask for them by name. He knew the kind of person he wanted to recruit and he didn't miss often.

Because we operated a program based on integrity and building good citizens, we gained Coach Schippers respect. On the morning that his retirement was to be announced he showed up at our school without having made a prior appointment. This was really different from the norm. Coach Schipper would request time for a visit, show up promptly, meet with the athletes for a short time, visit with me, and off he would go. On this day he just showed up at our school. He came up to me and began to visit for a while and I am thinking that I had really dropped the football because I didn't remember him scheduling a visit. Then he told me he was announcing his retirement and just wanted to let me know. Whoah, you could have knocked me over with a feather.

Since that time I have pondered why he made that visit. I have since found out that he made several other contacts on that morning. Fry, Schembechler and Westering are three that I know of that he made contact with. Now I may not be the brightest bulb on my Mothers tree but I do know that I am not in the category of those other people. I have come to the conclusion that Coach Schipp just needed to get out of Pella for a while to get away from the place that had held a strong bond to his heart for over 30 years. He probably did not want to face the volume of people trying to contact him and offer congratulatory salutes. For a man who had done so much there was absolutely zero ego in the man. He always put the light and focus on the players. No wonder they loved him so much.

He was the kind of man who made you want to be a better person. If
you have known a man or woman like that you are blessed. I hope that you have or will be around such a person.

We all have a certain amount of time to be here on earth. We live
that life minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day. In that time we have opportunities to make choices and exert influences. When our time is completed there will be left here memories and the influence we have had on those left behind. To have made a difference for good while we were here is an ultimate goal.

Some would seek to make some grand act that everyone on earth would see as a moment that stands out through all of time as a special act.

Most of us live out our lives day by day attempting to do good and move ourselves and toss around us onward and upward. That is certainly a worthwhile goal.

Penny Harris Reynen ‘71
I wasn’t involved in football in any way, but Ron Schipper touched my life and made me feel like a part of his extended family. The first time I met him he scared me with his gruff exterior, but I soon got to know the man with the big heart.

When Brian O’Donnell was in the hospital in Des Moines after his football injury in 1968, I would visit him on the weekends. One weekend I drove Brian to Central for his first visit to Pella since his injury. The football players came to my car and helped Brian into his wheelchair and down onto the field. I stood on the sidelines that day with Brian and I think Schipper thought I was a nurse from the hospital. When he found out that I was a Central student, he gave me a big hug. From that day until the very last time I saw him last year, he embraced me and lifted me up – literally and figuratively. Schipper was a wonderful caring man and role model for all of us. I will remember him for his generosity of spirit.

Cindy (Busker) McCurry '79
My immediate memory of Coach Schippers was that he always said hello, always knew my name, and I was not an athlete of any kind !

Brad Havran '85
While there are many things I admire Coach Schipper for, the thing I respect about him most is that he accomplished such a consistent and impressive level of athletic success without forcing the issue or pressuring his players to win. He achieved a remarkable winning percentage without demonstrating the slightest hint of a “win at all cost” attitude or lecturing his players that winning was the primary objective to attain. He never sacrificed his integrity, morals, standards, or beliefs in his effort to be successful. He possessed a high level of class and he expected his players to demonstrate that same high level of class when they competed. Unlike many major division athletic programs, it was unacceptable for any of his athletes to behave in a manner that either tarnished the team’s image or the reputation of Central College. Coach Schipper’s focus was on getting his coaches and players to perform at their best regardless of whether it was on the football field, at work, at church, or in the classroom. The final measurement of success had nothing to do with whether or not the result was a win.

My relationship with Coach Schipper became stronger after I graduated from Central. As I matured and grew wiser, my understanding and appreciation of Coach Schipper’s methods and approaches to life became clearer and more inspiring. At a ceremony honoring him after he retired from coaching, I stated to Coach Schipper that one of my biggest regrets at Central was not winning another championship game for him (the 1984 Stagg Bowl). He smiled and replied, “That would have been nice, but we had a heck of a lot of fun didn’t we?” His response further supported what I respect Coach Schipper most for - it wasn’t about the winning, it was all about performing well and having fun doing it. Coach Schipper definitely influenced my life, both when I played football for him and afterwards. As a team captain and player, I learned that for successful teams, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. That concept definitely materialized for us during the 1984 season. As a Field Supervisor for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, I try to imitate Coach Schipper’s philosophies, methods, and approaches, and to maintain the high levels of integrity and class he possessed. Occasionally, I even use the terms, “Hells Bells” and “Judas Priest.” I’m proud to say the bank examination team I supervise has accomplished high levels of success and I credit much of this success to implementing what I refer to as the “Schipper Model.”