By Darin How does a player on a losing team become an All-American? For Dave Schreiner, the answer was an obsession with perfection. Long before the era of modern receivers, the Lancaster native turned pass-catching into a science, drilling himself through the summer heat until his hands became legendary. While his career would ultimately be cut short by the fields of Okinawa, his legacy at the University of Wisconsin remains an unbreakable standard of grit and individual excellence. Discover the story of the Badger who proved that true greatness isn’t measured by a team’s record, but by the relentless pursuit of mastery.
Football Bio
March 5, 1921 – Lancaster, Wisconsin – Dave Schreiner, the University of Wisconsin end, was born. Famous as a perfectionist, Schreiner practiced catching all types of passes, building confidence in his skills. Despite playing for a 3–5 Wisconsin team in 1941, he was honored as an All-American. Schreiner’s individual excellence earned him induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955.
Conclusion
Dave Schreiner’s impact on Wisconsin football transcends simple statistics. As the first two-time All-American in the program’s history, he set a blueprint for the “Big Dave” persona: humble, hardworking, and elite under pressure. His decision to forgo a professional career with the Detroit Lions to serve in the Marines during World War II solidified his status as more than just a gridiron hero. Today, his retired number 80 hangs as a permanent reminder that character and dedication are the true hallmarks of a Hall of Famer.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1955 (Charter Class).
- Chicago Tribune Silver Football Winner: Big Ten Most Valuable Player (1942).
- Two-Time First-Team All-American: (1941, 1942).
- Unanimous All-American: 1942.
- Big Ten Conference MVP: 1942.
- Retired Number: His #80 is one of only six retired by the University of Wisconsin.
- NFL Draft: Second-round pick (11th overall) by the Detroit Lions in 1943.
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 10th in the voting in 1942.
- Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame: Charter inductee (1951).
- School Record Holder: First Badger to catch three touchdown passes in a single quarter (vs. Marquette, 1942).
