Joel Schaeffer (2001) - CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame

Joel Schaeffer

Induction:
2001

Joel Schaeffer was inducted into the CSUN Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. Schaeffer, a veteran of 35 years of coaching, was a member of CSUN's first-ever football squad.

He was instrumental, by kicking the extra point, in winning the first football game ever at Northridge in 1962. Starting at center, linebacker, and kicker, Schaeffer played three seasons of football at San Fernando Valley State and Cal State Northridge, where he would ultimately earn his degree in physical education in 1964.

A 1960 graduate of Cleveland High School, he was a three-year letter winner in both football and baseball at Cleveland before moving on to play two seasons of football at Pierce College.

A highly decorated coach in the high school ranks, Schaeffer is the all-time winningest coach at Reseda High School with 157 wins in 23 seasons. He was named Coach of the Year for the Los Angeles City, Section 2A in 1986 and Section 3A in 1995.

Upon his retirement from coaching, Schaeffer was honored at a testimonial dinner at which he received the very first “Victory Through Honor” award from the Michael Josephson Foundation and was informed that the Reseda High School football field would be named “Schaeffer Field” in his honor.

Schaeffer served as president of the Los Angeles Football Coaches Association from 1983 to 1985. He is also involved with the D.A.R.E. program and is a member of the Los Angeles Police Academy Magnet Foundation.