Rochester Institute of Technology Athletics

If Andre Schmid had to do it all over again, he’d like to include some NCAA championship rings.  Schmid played four years of soccer (fullback) and lacrosse (midfield) and has the distinction of competing in eight NCAA Division III post-season playoffs, a first for an RIT athlete.

In his four seasons of soccer, RIT compiled an enviable record of 60-9-7, including 44 regular season games without a loss.  The Tigers went to the NCAAs all four years, reaching the semifinals in 1984.  RIT also captured three Independent College Athletic Conference crowns.  Schmid’s soccer efforts did not go unnoticed.  A three-year starter, he began his senior year at outside back.  An early season injury to a teammate found Schmid moving to stopper.

“Andre did an outstanding job,”  said former RIT coach Dough May, “so good in fact, he was first team All-Conference (ICAC) and second team All-New York Region.  He assumed a captain’s role and became a good model for our younger players.”  As a senior, Schmid was also named Best Defensive Player.  He ranks 72nd in scoring with nine career points.

Bill Garno, Schmid’s former teammate and now coach of the RIT Tigers, added:  “Andre was a tenacious one-on-one defender and an excellent ball winner.  As a versatile defender,  he was very effective getting forward and becoming involved in the attack.  He was a fierce competitor with a tremendous work ethic-a true example for younger players. He was one of the mainstays of RIT’s climb to national prominence. Given the names of previous Hall of Fame inductees, Andre clearly merits the same recognition.”

As a lacrosse midfielder, Andre also made four trips to the NCAAs, helping RIT reach the semifinals in 1984 and 1985. During his career, lacrosse compiled a 49-10 record and won three consecutive ICAC titles. For his career, he tallied 14 points and 94 ground balls in a defensive midfield role.

“Playing two sports made it even tougher for Andre,” commented former lacrosse coach Bill Glennon. “He worked twice as hard to develop his skills and just got better and better. Playing in eight NCAAs speaks for itself. He was always willing to work hard and ground it out when the going got tough.

Schmid came to RIT after strong soccer and lacrosse careers and Shenendehowa High School. He was All-League, team captain, and MVP in soccer and lacrosse his senior year. While at RIT, he also played soccer in three Empire State Games.