“I really don’t know what to say … I can’t believe I’m this lucky,” Blinn College’s athletic director and head men’s basketball coach said. “My first job, I worked for someone who was in the Hall of Fame (Bruce Hoffman). I’ve served as head of the Coaches Hall of Fame Committee, and to be inducted is a tremendous honor.”
Schumacher, currently in his 11th season as athletic director and head coach of the Buccaneer men’s basketball team, adds this newest honor to a growing list of accolades. Last September, he was inducted into the Kilgore College Hall of Fame for his accomplishments as a head coach of the Rangers men’s team.
“This well-deserved recognition is a testament to Coach Schumacher’s longstanding service to his athletes and community,” said Dr. Mary Hensley, Chancellor of the Blinn College District. “Throughout his career, he has instilled values such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and sportsmanship in his athletes, and we are excited to see his achievements recognized with induction into the Hall of Fame.”
Schumacher has more than 30 years of coaching experience at the junior college level, with stints at Paris Junior College, Kilgore, and North Dakota State College of Science prior to arriving at Blinn. His 22 victories this season have pushed his career record to 633-380, including a 207-132 mark as coach of the Bucs. Schumacher ranks 13th all-time in wins among active men’s basketball coaches across 439 NJCAA programs.
Additionally, he has led three junior college programs to conference titles and top-10 national rankings in the NJCAA polls. In five of the last seven seasons, Schumacher has led the Buccaneers to 20 or more victories. Schumacher also has coached 12 NJCAA All-Americans. More than 85 of his players have signed Division I scholarships and more than 37 have gone on to play professionally.
Aside from his leadership on the court, Schumacher served two terms as president of the NJCAA Basketball Coaches Association, a position voted upon by his colleagues.
“I love coaching basketball,” Schumacher added. “I love being around my players, I love recruiting them, I love getting to know them, and I love helping them earn their degrees so they get to do what I get to do in my life, and that’s doing what I love.”
Blinn has competed in intercollegiate athletics since 1903 and captured 42 NJCAA national championships since 1987.
