University Of Toledo Hall Of Fame Inducts Rocket Gridiron Standout Steve Schnitkey

Steve Schnitkey in his University of Toledo football uniform, back in 1968.- courtesy photo

Steve Schnitkey, a 1968 Archbold High School graduate and athlete, was one of 10 former University of Toledo athletes inducted into the UT Varsity "T" Hall of Fame, Friday, Feb. 1.

The induction "is really special to me," said Steve. "It's an important part of what happened back then when I was a kid."

According to information provided by UT, Schnitkey was one of the major forces of a dominating defense that helped propel the famous Rocket football teams of 1969-71 to a collective 35-0 record, along with three Mid-American Conference championships and three Tangerine Bowl titles.

He stepped in at middle guard as a sophomore in 1969, recording 103 tackles and 14 sacks to help the Rockets to an 11-0 record and their first of three MAC titles.

In his sophomore season, Schnitkey pulled off a remarkable feat for a down lineman, scoring two touchdowns in one game against Kent State in a 43-17 victory.

As a junior, Schnitkey earned First Team All-MAC honors and had a team-best 178 tackles, along with 20 tackles for loss, three interceptions and two blocked punts.

Several family members celebrated with Steve Schnitkey, second from right, as he was inducted into the UT Varsity "T" Hall of Fame, Friday, Feb. 1. Stopping for a photo were his parents, Charles "Til" and Melba Schnitkey, and his grandson, Keaton Brodbeck, who is holding the plaque commemmorating Steve's achievement.- courtesy photo

As a senior, Schnitkey capped off his career by making 131 tackles and earning Second Team All-MAC accolades, as the Rockets went 12-0 and won their third consecutive league title and Tangerine Bowl.

For his career, Schnitkey was credited with 412 tackles, which ranks seventh all-time in UT history.

"I was pretty surprised to find out I was the seventh-leading tackler," said Steve. "I knew that I did all right, but there's a lot of people that played football at that school. Anytime you're in the top 10 of anything, it's good."

Steve didn't think he would play football in college. He chose UT because Randy Pape, a friend of his and fellow AHS graduate, was there.

Randy had been a quarterback and also played defensive backfield for the Blue Streaks. Steve was an offensive guard and a defensive linebacker.

Steve also was on the track team at AHS, and qualified for the state meet in four events: the high jump, long jump, shot put, and 100-yard dash. He won the state championship in high jump and was fourth in the long jump.

He also played basketball for AHS, which went 21-3 in 1966- 67 and 21-1 in 1967-68.

While Steve was considering playing football for UT, Randy told him to "just picture the hardest you get hit in high school. It's like that every play," Steve told the audience at the induction ceremony.

"He wasn't too far off."

Steve said the Rockets featured a number of AHS players during that time, including Lynn Aeschliman, Bob Rose, Bruce Arthur, and Jim Crossgrove. In fact, they even had an "Archbold Night" in which the local players were brought out at halftime and recognized.

Steve is the son of Charles "Til" and Melba Schnitkey. During the ceremony he recognized his parents for attending all 35 games his sophomore through senior years, as well as the five games he played as a UT freshman.

Steve resides in rural Archbold with his wife, Karen. They have two children, Mrs. Kyle (Tara) Brodbeck, Archbold, and Blake, Chicago, Ill., and two grandchildren, Keaton and Chaney Brodbeck.