University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
One of the top sprinters on the track at UVM, Mike Schaffer ’90 set four school individuals records and was part of a relay team that set another while making a big contribution to the school’s first-ever Eastern Championship in 1990.
A native of Castleton, Vt., he did not run on the track team at Fair Haven Union High but drew the attention of UVM coach Ed Kusiak in college.
“Mike is a remarkable story,” said Kusiak. “He was a baseball and soccer player in high school and never ran track until the fall of 1986. For him to come here and set school records is amazing.”
Indoors at Vermont he ran a school-record 5.8 seconds in the 50 meters, 6.2 in the 55 meters, and a 23.0 in the 200, all in 1988. Outside he ran a school-record 10.73 in the 100 meters in 1989 and that season participated in UVM’s record-setting 4x100 relay (42.25). His record in the 100 meters also was an Archie Post Field record.
While at UVM he represented the men’s track team at the Kids and Kops program and volunteered his time at other concerns.
Schaffer received support from teammates, Dan Bokan ’90 and Allen Currier ’90.
“Mike was a leader and had a work ethic second to none. He set the pace for the team and was willing to lead by example,” said Bokan. “He was a big part in our team winning the Eastern Championships scoring in all of his events; which were the most competitive out of any in track and field. The 100m and 4x100 meter relay are by far the hardest two to score points in when you look at the entire line up of track and field events. These two events are loaded with athletes from all other sports. The sprints are mostly dominated by natural athletes blessed with speed.”
“Mike Schaffer quite simply is the fastest person that UVM has ever seen,” said Currier. “As a sprinter, I chased Mike for four years, indoors and out. Mike still holds the school records in the 50m, 55m, 100m and 4X100m sprints. The 100m dash is the premiere event in track and field. Mike set that record 18 years ago and it still stands. Most sprinters are quite outspoken and usually cocky. Not Mike. He did his talking after the gun went off. Nobody could get out of the blocks faster than Mike. He was a team leader who inspired those around him.”
