J. Roger Schmiedel

Schmiedel

J. Roger Schmiedel
(Football, 1951)


The 1950 football season was, arguably, the finest season for the Hatter Gridders in school history. They concluded their season undefeated and a number one ranking in the New Haven Register poll. The 1950 season took place in the midst of a 23 game unbeaten streak for the Crotty 11. While defense was the forte of those teams the offensive fire power was provided by the electrifying running back and our next Hall of Fame inductee, Roger Schmiedel. Roger’s exploits were of the explosive variety as he was known for his long touchdown runs. Six of his eight touchdowns in the 1950 season were for over 50 yards. For his career Roger finished with 1304 yards rushing, which was a school record at that time. The 1950 season saw him rush for 980 yards for the season, which was also a single season school record at the time. That 980 yards places him, today, as thirteenth best for a single season in DHS history. Roger also led the 1950 team with eight touchdowns. As a student Roger was class president for all four years and was a Boys’ State representative in 1950. As was the case with many DHS grads, Roger went to Mount Saint Mary’s College in Maryland and received his degree in education. Roger started his professional career teaching in Baltimore, Maryland and then came home to Danbury where he was a teacher and administrator at Danbury High School until his retirement in 1991.