Hall of Fame
Don Schmeckpeper, a 1943 graduate of Glencoe High School, played football at Bemidji State University from 1946-50, lettered three times and was a member of the 1947 conference co-championship team. He also was a four-time BSU letter winner in track and field from 1946-50 and the conference high hurdle champion in 1947. Don graduated from BSU in 1950 with an industrial education degree and then returned to BSU to complete his master's degree in 1965. Before attending BSU, Don attended the University of Minnesota for a semester in 1943, playing football for the Gophers. He then spent 1944 at Naval Air Station Kaneohe (then the territory of Hawaii) and sailed as a member of the U.S. Merchant Marines during 1945 and half of 1946. Following his career at BSU, Don spent 35 years in education, including 34 years at Bemidji High School where he was an assistant track coach for 10 years. His first teaching position was at Humboldt-St. Vincent where he set up the physical education and science program at the newly organized school system and started the boy's basketball program. Don, now retired, is a member of the BSU Alumni Association and Beaver Pride and is an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Bemidji. From 1987-1997, he also was a member of the South Lake Irving Association on the Lake Bemidji Watershed program.
