Bio

Richard Schumacher had a brilliant basketball career for UW-Oshkosh and then later came back to contribute to his alma mater even further as an educator and athletic booster.

Schumacher played men's basketball at Oshkosh State Teachers College from 1947-50, participating on the WSUC championship teams in 1947 and 1948. He received All-WSUC first team accolades as a junior in 1949, serving as team captain that same year. Schumacher also participated in track & field in 1947 and 1948. Two highlights during Schumacher's basketball career were scoring 12 points during his first collegiate game against UW-Stout and scoring a career-high 29 points at UW-Platteville.

Born in Watertown and raised in Janesville, Schumacher starred in athletics at Janesville High School. Schumacher earned three letters in basketball and was captain during his senior year in 1946, winning the Big Eight Conference that same year. He also was a three-time letter winner in track & field. He declined a professional baseball Class D contract offer from the Chicago Cubs in 1946 in order to retain amateur status and attend UW-Oshkosh.

After teaching and coaching at two high schools sandwiched around a stint in the United States Navy, Schumacher arrived as an educator in the physical education department at UW-Oshkosh in 1964. From that time until 1980, Schumacher coached UW-Oshkosh's alpine skiing club team.

In 1972, Schumacher added the role as the university's intramural sports director. He served the university in those two capacities until his retirement in 1990. As intramural sports director, Schumacher played an instrumental role in getting men's and women's soccer along with ice hockey instituted as club sports on campus.

Active in events on campus, Schumacher served as secretary and treasurer of the UW-Oshkosh Titan Booster Club from 1965-90. He also was on the UW-Oshkosh Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee from its inception in 1974 to 1990, serving as chairperson the last five years. Schumacher also served as an advisor for the Sig Tau fraternity for five years.

Schumacher and his wife, Doree, currently spend retirement in Montreal, where together they own and operate The Inn Bed and Breakfast.