F. Carl Schnabel Named Head Women's Track & Field Coach

by Sports Information
8/8/03

LANCASTER, PA - Franklin & Marshall College Director of Athletics & Recreation Dr. Robert Bunnell has announced the hiring of F. Carl Schnabel as head men's and women's track & field and assistant cross country coach at the College.

An assistant track & field coach at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania (1997-2002), Lehigh University (1993-1997) and Biola University (1988-1993), Schnabel becomes the 16th coach in 90 years of men's track & field and the fourth women's coach in 23 years of competition.

At Kutztown, he assisted head coach Brian Mondschein in a revitalization of the track & field program as the Bears captured 12 championships from 1997-2001.

Overall, from 1997 through 2002, he helped lead the Bears men's team to five straight Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Indoor Track Championships (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001) and four Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Outdoor titles (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002). In women's competition, Kutztown captured the 1997 and 2000 PSAC Outdoor crowns and the 2001 ECAC Indoor Championship during his tenure.

Individually, Schnabel guided the Bears' pole-vaulters to eight All-America performances as Paul Schmitt (2000 Indoor, 2000 Outdoor, 2001 Indoor, 2002 Indoor, 2002 Outdoor), Kristi Braine (1999 Outdoor) and Louise Sawyer (2002 Indoor, 2002 Outdoor) garnered honors under his watch.

The head field coach at Lehigh University from 1993 to 1997, he guided a strong jumping corps as Susan Jindra (Long Jump - Indoor Track, 17'11 3/4"), Jenny Lee (Long Jump - Outdoor Track & Field, 18'-5 1/4"), Ben Irwin (High Jump - Indoor Track, 6'-9 1/4") and Cleveland McCray (Long Jump - Outdoor Track & Field, 25'-0") established school records which continue to stand.

He started his coaching career at Biola University in La Mirada, California where he served as assistant cross and track and field coach from 1988 to 1993. In addition to his track and field responsibilities, Schnabel served as head softball coach, an instructor in physical education and coordinated the university's weight room.

Prior to his appointment at F&M, Schnabel served as a high school teacher and head cross-country coach at West-Mont Christian Academy in Pottstown, Pennsylvania.

A 1988 graduate of the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts in history, he holds an M.A. in Theological Studies from Calvary Baptist Seminary and is the son of former Franklin & Marshall College wrestler F. Carl Schnabel '64.

He and his wife Jennifer are the parents to three children, Grace (6), Beth (4) and Noah (2).