University of Denver - Kynewisbok Yearbook (Denver, CO)

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News Living a Legend by Evan Dreyer He fought the Nazis, taught General Patton and prepared America’s Olympians — Schaeffler’s was the life of a legend. The ski pioneer who led the University of Denver to 13 NCAA national championships died April 9 in Denver at the age of 72. Former DU ski coach and coach of the 1972 US. Olympic ski team. Wilhelm ‘ Willy Schaeffler came to the forefront of the ski world in the 1950s and '60s when he led 13 of his 18 University of Denver ski teams to NCAA championships and finished second in two others Thirty three of his DU skiers were named to All-American teams and 15 went on to become Olympians. From 1958-60. Schaeffler left DU to assume duties as the director of Ski Events at the I960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. Calif. In 1966. 68 and 70 he led the U S A. special I know this sounds absurd, but Willy had such a strong ability to hang in there that I never thought he would actually die. Schaeffler tmly did have a knack for hanging in there. He'd been down several times during his life, but he always managed to survive. Sometimes under incredible odds. Schaeffler was bom December 13. 1915. in Kaulbeuren. Bavaria. By the time he was 8 years old. he was already a competitive skier. Less than 10 years later, he would win the Bavarian Alpine Championships. He was named to the 1936 German Olympic squad, but two broken legs kept him from competing After recovering from the injuries. World War II loomed as Schaefflers next great obstacle. Considered politically what is now the Arapahoe Basin ski area. Two years later. Schaeffler accepted his position at DU. Craig Patrick, who is now DUs athletic director, was a hockey player here during the time Schaeffler was busy building a ski dynasty. I knew him mostly through his players. Patrick says. “They were the best conditioned athletes on the campus. He used to make his players run up and down the (football) stadium stairs as part of their workout. Schaeffler is well known for such high-powered tactics to keep his athletes in shape. Not only would he make them run the stadium stairs, but they often had to run the stairs while carrying a teammate. Ole Wilmann still remembers what a “He never settled for less than 100 percent. He asked his athletes for 100 percent, and that's how he lived his own life. ” — Dale Erwin Ski Team at the World University Games and won 23 medals. Then, in 1972. Schaeffler was named coach of the U S. Olympic Ski Team. His crew captured two medals in the Games, which were held in Sapporo. Japan. Schaeffler's involvement with the Olympics inspired him in his drive to bring the Games to Denver. In addition to coaching the nordic and alpine skiers at DU. Schaeffler coached soccer and served as conditioning trainer for the old football team. Dale Erwin, who played soccer for Schaeffler during the 60s and now lives in Denver, says Schaeffler was one of a kind. “He had an incredible spark for life. Erwin says. He was really something unsafe by Nazi leaders for his outspokenness against their policies. Schaeffler was sent to the Russian front in 1940 He was assigned to an outfit of other anti-Nazis who were used to spearhead the Third Reich's dnvc into the Soviet Union Schaeffler was wounded three times during the war. including a bullet wound to the head and shrapnel lodged in his heart and lungs The Russian army captured Schaeffler, but he managed to escape and organize a resistance group dedicated to sabotaging the Nazi war effort Schaeffler also taught U.S. soldiers how to ski in the Swiss Alps One of his pupils was Gen George S Patton. Following the war. in 1946. Schaeffler came to Colorado and chopped trees in fierce competitor Schaeffler was. Wilmann skied, played soccer and assistant coached for Schaeffler in the late ‘60s and early 70s. He use to make us meet him in the old student union parking lot at 7 a m. on Saturday mornings. W'ilmann says. “Wed drive up into the mountains and he'd take us for four hour hikes. And that was during the off-season. Without a doubt. Schaeffler loved to win Upon his induction into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame in 1972, he summed up his winning philosophy better than anyone: We never competed for second place Wilmann agrees. Willy was not fond of second place One time, we came in second place in Steamboat Springs at the last meet of the year, and Willy said. 26

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Order of Omega The last word in Greek leadership. Chris Adams — Lambda Chi Alpha Frank Agoun — Phi Kappa Sigma Christine Boni — Gamma Phi Beta Furman Brown — Phi Kappa Sigma Cathy Clark — Alpha Gamma Delta Dave Collignon — Sigma Alpha Epsilon Bess Copeland — Delta Gamma Kristi Davis — Gamma Phi Beta Kevin Dawson — Lambda Chi Alpha Earl Duval — Sigma Alpha Epsilon Mark Erickson — Kappa Sigma Sheila Gargan — Delta Gamma Tim Garland — Kappa Sigma David Geek — Kappa Sigma Nicki Gilmour — Delta Zeta Tom Guyer — Phi Kappa Sigma Robin Hass — Delta Zeta Mike Holmes — Sigma Alpha Epsilon Jodi Jackman — Alpha Gamma Delta Vandna Jerath — Gamma Phi Beta Mike Keever — Lambda Chi Alpha Heidi Keller — Delta Zeta Jeff Keller — Sigma Alpha Epsilon Shannon Kelly — Alpha Gamma Delta Brad Leiser — Sigma Alpha Epsilon Ron Mills — Kappa Sigma Chuck Munden — Lambda Chi Alpha Jon Niermann — Kappa Sigma Ken O'Brien — Alpha Tau Omega Danice Rinderknecht — Gamma Phi Beta Chris Romero — Phi Kappa Sigma Jim Rossman — Sigma Alpha Epsilon Scott Skorobohaty — Kappa Sigma Linda Stamper — Delta Gamma Kelli Steward — Delta Zeta Stacey Strahs — Delta Zeta Nicola Sykes — Delta Gamma Ted Trimpa — Beta Theta Pi Jenny Turner — Delta Gamma Sarina Voight — Gamma Phi Beta Joitph Trujillo, Karra Wrfcoff. Yo ( aMrua. Bng nir Daate, Mickacl Ro«h INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORGANIZATION 2S

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News Willy Schaeffler There's no time for celebrations here. Tomorrow we go to Winter Park and start training for next year.' As long as we won. everything was fine Erwin says Schaeffler's desire to be the best rubbed off on all his athletes. He never settled for less than 100 percent He asked his athletes for 100 percent, and that's how he lived his own life. Schaeffler not only loved winning, he loved life. So much so that he survived four open heart surgeries and another operation to implant a pacemaker. Three weeks before he died. Schaeffler insisted upon undergoing reconstructive knee surgery. despite the high risk caused by his poor health. He decided to take the risk rather than be confined to his bed. Among his other accomplishments. Schaeffler worked with the Kennedy family to establish the Special Olympics. Today, the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity brings a portion of those games to DU. Just prior to his deaths a scholarship fund in Schaeffler's name was established to help handicapped skiers and scholars. 27