Bob Schnitzler

Wayne State College. A native of Cornlea, Nebraska and a graduate of Humphrey High School, Schnitzler was a three-sport athlete, earning four football letters, two baseball letters, and one track letter. He graduated in 1961 with a degree in physical education and an industrial arts minor.

Arrives in Battle Creek, hired by Superintendent Don Huwaldt. "Bob Schnitzler Will Be New Coach At BC High" — Battle Creek Enterprise, April 12, 1962.

A great football team goes 9-0, outscoring opponents 322–13, ranked #1 by all nine opponents — Mid-State Conference Champions.

Founds the Battle Creek Wrestling program from scratch for the 1968–69 season — Gene Galyen becomes the school's first-ever state qualifier — and by 1970 the team wins the school's first-ever district championship, a landmark moment for the program.

Girls Basketball earns the school's first-ever state runner-up finish — the first banner of any kind to hang for girls basketball in Battle Creek.

Track & Field wins Battle Creek's first-ever state championship banner — Class C.

Track & Field repeats as Class C state champions. That October, Bob Schnitzler is inducted into the Wayne State College Athletics Hall of Fame.

Girls Basketball wins four consecutive Class C state championships. Four trips. Four titles. A dynasty unlike anything Nebraska girls basketball had seen — 24-0 in 1984, 23-1 in 1985, 23-1 in 1986, and 24-0 in 1987.

One of the best football teams Schnitzler ever coached. The Braves win the state football championship in dominant fashion, allowing only 12 points all season.

Football wins another state championship, cementing Schnitzler's program as one of Nebraska's elite small-school dynasties.

Boys Track & Field wins back-to-back Class C state championships.

Girls Basketball wins the Class C state championship — a fifth title for a program Schnitzler built from the ground up.

Girls Track & Field wins the Class C state championship behind Rachelle Kuchar — Bob Schnitzler serving as assistant coach. Football also claims a state title behind one of Nebraska's, regardless of class, best teams of all time.

Girls Track & Field wins another Class C state championship, continuing one of Nebraska's most decorated small-school programs — Bob Schnitzler serving as assistant coach.

Football reaches the state championship game three years in a row, losing in heartbreaking fashion each time.

Bob retires after spending 39 years at Battle Creek as a resident, teacher, coach, and administrator.

Inducted into the Nebraska High School Sports Hall of Fame — a career spanning football, girls basketball, boys and girls track, wrestling, and volleyball across more than three decades at Battle Creek.

On September 29, 2006, the Battle Creek football field is formally renamed Bob Schnitzler Field at the Battle Creek Sports Complex. Numerous state championship teams were honored in conjunction, and the Braves won 47-21 over Wayne to move to 5-0.

After retiring from Battle Creek, Schnitzler returns to coaching at Lindsay Holy Family High School — taking the boys basketball team to the state tournament, finishing as state runner-up in 2004 and winning the state championship in 2005.

Bob Schnitzler is inducted into the Battle Creek High School Hall of Fame.

Battle Creek Athletics hosts the 2026 All-Sports Reunion, honoring Bob Schnitzler and his accomplishments at Battle Creek. Former athletes from 8 decades and two continents embarked on Battle Creek for a night of celebration.