Cardinal Hall of Honor
Charles Schmucker’s interest in athletics triggered an association with Lamar University that lasted for more than six decades.
Although ne never played football before attending LU because Winnie High School did not field a team, Schmucker earned a position on the first football team known as the Lamar Cardinals. That 1932 team posted an 8-1 record and is considered one of the school’s all-time greatest squads.
The long-standing love affair between Schmucker and LU that began with that initial association never wavered through the years. In 1975, he came LU’s director of development and the executive secretary of the Alumni Association. He remained active with the Alumni Association, especially through the annual reunion of the 1932 football Cardinals. Schmucker was named a Distinguished Alumnus of Lamar in 1987.
As a humanitarian and civic leader, Schmucker was an active and oft-honored member of the community. His honors included selection as Mr. East Texas and the Melvin Jones Fellowship from Lions Club International Foundation in recognition of exemplary humanitarian service.
