John Schmitz

John Schmitz has played a major role in the Thief River Falls school district as both a coach and an educator.  A native of Red Lake Falls, Minnesota, Schmitz is a graduate of the University of North Dakota and holds a master’s degree from Bemidji State University.

Before he began teaching in Thief River Falls, Schmitz taught and coached for two years at the junior high school in Pine River, Minnesota.  From 1962 to 1994, he was employed by the Thief River Falls school district as a mathematics teacher.

For nearly four decades he has played a large role in Prowler athletics as a coach in the football, hockey, and baseball programs.  He has been involved with the hockey program since 1962 and served as head coach during the 1971-72 season, when he led the “Pucksters” to a 15-5 record and a first-place finish in the north half of Region 8.

Schmitz has been an active coach in the Prowler football program since 1963.  He began his football coaching career in Thief River Falls as an elementary coach in 1963 and served as a middle school coach, a 9th grade coach, and a varsity assistant coach from 1964 to 1979.  He served as the head varsity football coach from 1980 to 1983, returned to a varsity assistant coaching position from 1984 to 1987, and has held a position as 9th grade football coach since 1988.  He has been an active part of the youth football and hockey programs in Thief River Falls, and he has managed the TRF summer baseball program.

Schmitz is an active member of St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in Thief River Falls, where he has served on the Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, and the Education Committee.  He is also involved with the Knights of Columbus, the Elks Club, and the American Legion.