Union College Athletics

Chris Schmid did not attend Union, yet his support and allegiance extends beyond the most ardent alumnus. He founded and organized the Fighting Dutchmen Gridiron Club, and also is considered to be the prime mover in establishing the Sig Makofski Basketball Tournament. He recruited Jim Tedisco, a Union Athletics Hall of Fame charter inductee, who turned down a scholarship at Syracuse to come to Union. Schmid’s basketball teams won 10 or more games four times during his coaching tenure (1962-70), with teams playing an average of 15 games. He also coached football and lacrosse. Schmid has helped secure video editing technology for Union teams, assisted in the backing for new bleachers at Bailey Field, and has guided countless former student-athletes professionally as a true mentor and friend of Union Athletics. Schmidt passed away on July 30, 2013.