On 12/3/24, Coach Schoenfeld acheived his 500th win when the Panthers beat Turpin 46-37.
When he spoke with us (WCPO) before the season began, Schoenfeld didn't dwell on his 500th win. Instead of a number, he focused on the rapport he's built with countless student-athletes, families and coaches over a coaching career that started in 1982 at his alma mater.
"I have an affinity towards Elder as a former student and former player," Schoenfeld said. "And coaching for a number of years, I just want Elder to do well. I want the kids to grow up and be good people and be successful people. And basketball is a way of teaching that."
The 66-year-old Schoenfeld, a 1977 Elder graduate, entered this season with a 499-267 record since the former Xavier University player became the Elder head coach in the 1991-92 season.
Schoenfeld started teaching at Elder in January 1983. (Mike Dyer, WCPO)
"I've been lucky to be at Elder for an awfully long time and I'm very appreciative of all the players that have actually won the games for Elder while I've been here," Schoenfeld said. "It's just kind of a special feeling to have been here this long and to have learned from the best, from Coach Frey who coached me when I played here and just having coached a bunch of good players and great kids over the years."
Frey and Schoenfeld have been the last two head coaches for Elder's basketball program in a stretch that started in the 1969-70 season and has spanned 883 wins and three state titles.
"The only reason you would have two coaches in all those years is Elder is just a great place to coach," Schoenfeld said. "I think the fact that two coaches stayed here this long and have been successful says a lot, mostly about the kids we were able to coach." (Alex Harrison, Cincinnati Enquirer)
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