Many schools across the country have produced great coaches, but few can claim a single team that has done so. At Capital University, the track and cross-country programs have a storied history, producing some of the most remarkable athletes in the university’s history. Many of these athletes have been inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame, and several have gone on to achieve exceptional success as coaches. These programs have cultivated leaders who have claimed state high school championships, national collegiate championships, and national Coach of the Year awards, establishing a legacy unparalleled by most collegiate athletic programs.
Capital’s 1965 track team, and particularly the Class of 1966, stands out as a unique source of coaching excellence. The 1965 track team produced four extraordinary coaches: Jim Demo (Class of 1965), Bob Lewis (Class of 1966), Wilfred “Wilf” Schnier (Class of 1966), and Chuck Hunsaker (Class of 1966).
Jim Demo
Jim Demo’s coaching career began with a remarkable impact. At Glenville High School, he led two teams to State Track Championships and three teams to the State Cross Country Meet—the only Glenville cross-country teams to achieve this milestone. Under Demo’s leadership, two athletes became High School All-Americans. His coaching successes extended to Purcell High School, Roger Bacon High School, and Medina High School. At Medina, Demo coached a state runner-up track team and numerous league champion track and cross-country teams, sending six teams to the state meet. In 1988, he was named Ohio High School Coach of the Year. Among his athletes was Duaine Ladejo, a two-time Olympic medalist for Great Britain. Demo is enshrined in the Medina County Sports Hall of Fame, the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Ohio Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
Bob Lewis
Bob Lewis, after earning a Ph.D. at Ohio State, embarked on a historic coaching career at Frostburg State University. There, he coached 112 intercollegiate teams—the most in Maryland’s collegiate athletic history. His accomplishments include three NCAA Division III men’s track and field national championships and numerous top-10 finishes in national competitions for both track and cross-country teams. Lewis coached 18 individual NCAA Division III national champions, three national championship relay teams, and multiple All-Americans, including an athlete who competed in four consecutive U.S. Olympic Games. His accolades include three NCAA Division III National Men’s Track and Field Coach of the Year honors and membership in the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame, Frostburg State University Bobcat Hall of Fame, and United States Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
Wilfred “Wilf” Schnier
Wilfred “Wilf” Schnier began his coaching journey at Trotwood-Madison High School, where his teams secured multiple top-10 finishes and produced individual state champions. At the University of Cincinnati, Schnier built the premier collegiate track and cross-country program in Ohio. His teams achieved conference championships in the Great Midwest Conference, Conference USA, and strong performances in the Big East. Schnier coached 129 individual conference champions, five NCAA All-Americans, and two Olympic medalists. Recognized as Conference USA Coach of the Decade in both track and cross-country, he earned 14 additional Coach of the Year honors. Schnier’s accolades include induction into the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame, University of Cincinnati Athletic Hall of Fame, Greater Cincinnati Running Hall of Fame, and Ohio Track and Cross-Country Coaches Hall of Fame.
Chuck Hunsaker
Chuck Hunsaker’s coaching career began at the University of Cincinnati, where he quickly made an impact, coaching five track and cross-country All-Americans in just two years. He moved on to Southwest Missouri State University, where he led his teams to five conference championships, one NCAA Division II national cross-country championship, and multiple runner-up finishes. Hunsaker coached two individual national champions and 22 NCAA Division II All-Americans. His exceptional leadership earned him multiple NCAA Division II National Cross-Country Coach of the Year awards. Later, Hunsaker was called to active duty with the U.S. Army and became the first women’s track and cross-country coach at the United States Military Academy at West Point. His teams achieved national prominence, and he played a key role in integrating women into the Corps of Cadets. Hunsaker’s legacy includes authorship of the book Angels in Combat Boots, chronicling the experiences of the first women at West Point. He is a member of several halls of fame, including the Capital University Athletic Hall of Fame and the Missouri State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
Coach Jack Landrum’s Leadership
The remarkable achievements of these coaches can be traced back to the guidance of their mentor, Coach Jack Landrum. A visionary leader and motivator, Landrum instilled in his athletes the values of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. His ability to inspire his athletes to excel not only in sports but also in life left an indelible mark on each of them. As the saying goes, “A good coach improves your performances, but a great coach improves your life.” Landrum was undeniably a great coach who set the foundation for a legacy of excellence that continues to shine brightly.
The legacy of Capital University’s 1965 track team serves as a testament to the transformative power of athletics and mentorship. This exceptional group of coaches has left an enduring mark on the sport, their communities, and the broader world of athletics.