The history of sports in Northern Kentucky goes back a long way. A very long way. Decades. Centuries.
We know you’ve seen these lists before, but this is a different and unique way of presenting our “50 sports icons in Northern Kentucky” as we’ll provide you one per day over the next 50 days.
Hall of Fames are everywhere in NKY, the Northern Kentucky Sports Hall of Fame, High School Athletic Directors Hall of Fame, NKU, Thomas More and local high schools all have something to recognize their past.
We’ll preface this series by saying this, some of you may disagree with who should or shouldn’t be in the top 50 and that’s fine. Plenty are in the Hall of Very Good, but we feel these 50 are the one’s who stuck out to us.
Sports Editor Evan Dennison spoke and conferred with several local NKY sports history buffs to get their opinions and lists of their own and who should be “locks” for the 50 sports icons. We compiled each list and came up with the 50 of our own (maybe cheated a little by putting families in as one) to present over the next 50 days.
Hope you enjoy as summer time rolls on!
The 33rd of the 50 sports icons is Bob Schneider, the all-time leader in wins for football in Northern Kentucky.
BOB SCHNEIDER
Bob Schneider’s name is etched into Kentucky high school football history as one of its most iconic coaches. A Newport Central Catholic graduate, Schneider returned to his alma mater in 1966 to take over a struggling program that had averaged just 1.5 wins per season. Over the next 44 years, he transformed NewCath into a powerhouse, compiling a career record of 345-183-2 and winning three state championships in 1984, 2005, and 2006. At the time of his retirement in 2009, he was the winningest coach in KHSAA history and remains among the state’s all-time leaders in victories.
Schneider’s impact extended far beyond the football field. A dedicated educator, he taught English for 50 years, served as NewCath’s athletic director for 35 years, assistant principal for 21, and directed the Tuition Assistance Program for 12. His contributions to education were as meaningful as his coaching accomplishments.
In addition to football, Schneider coached baseball for nine seasons, leading NewCath to back-to-back regional championships in 1975 and 1976, with the latter team finishing as state runner-up. He continued helping the program even after stepping down due to heart issues, working behind the scenes and mentoring players and coaches.
A Thomas More and Xavier University graduate, Schneider earned his Master’s and Superintendent’s Certificate, reflecting his lifelong commitment to learning. A member of the Kentucky Athletic Hall of Fame, he left a legacy of faith, discipline, and service. The Northern Kentucky Coach of the Year award now bears his name, a fitting tribute to a man who built both programs and people.
See the 50 sports icons on a day-to-day basis over the next 50 days
— Day 1: Dave Cowens
— Day 2: Shaun Alexander
— Day 3: Homer Rice
— Day 4: Dicky Beal
— Day 5: Jared Lorenzen
— Day 6: Jim Bunning
— Day 7: Tom Ellis
— Day 8: Nate Dusing
— Day 9: Jim Connor
— Day 10: Steve Cauthen
— Day 11: Irv Goode
— Day 12: Stan Steidel
— Day 13: Kenney Shields
— Day 14: David Justice
— Day 15: Morgan Hentz
— Day 16: Eddie Arcaro
— Day 17: Nancy Winstel
— Day 18: Steve Flesch
— Day 19: Donna Murphy
— Day 20: Randy Marsh
— Day 21: Mike Yeagle
— Day 22: Derrick Barnes
— Day 23: Dale Mueller
— Day 24: Dave Faust
— Day 25: Kirsten Allen
— Day 26: The Oldendick family
— Day 27: Martin “Mote” Hils
— Day 28: Nell Fookes
— Day 29: Owen Hauck
— Day 30: Becky Ruehl
— Day 31: Tom Thacker
— Day 32: Sydney Moss
— Day 33: Bob Schneider
— Day 34: The Walz family
— Day 35: John Toebben
— Day 36: Pat Scott
— Day 37: Bob Arnzen
— Day 38: Joan Mazzaro
— Day 39: Frank Jacobs
— Day 40: Adrienne Hundemer
— Day 41: The Draud family
— Day 42: Bill Krumpelbeck
— Day 43: The Molony family
— Day 44: Allen Feldhaus
— Day 45: The Maile family
— Day 46: Maureen Egan Corl
— Day 47: Bill Aker
— Day 48: Maureen Kaiser
— Day 49: John Brannen
— Day 50: Mike Bankemper