CONTRIBUTOR INDUCTEE HOWARD & FRED SCHMERTZ Bragging Rights
H Father-son duo and longtime meet directors of the iconic Millrose Games H Fred was a founding member of the meet and served as assistant meet director and meet director (1933-1974); Howard served as meet director (1975-2003) and was named meet director emeritus in 2003
The National Track & Field Hall of Fame honors the timelessness of the sport. It honors legends and those critical to the sport’s growth. Few people epitomize this better than Fred and Howard Schmertz.
Since its inception in 1908, the father-son duo has been involved with every single running of the Millrose Games. The New York City indoor meet has survived two world wars, the Great Depression and venue renovations and shifts to become an irreplaceable fixture surrounding international track and field. And it was all done with a member of the Schmertz family watching every step.
It has been regarded by many as the most historic invitational indoor track meet in the world with names such as Jesse Owens, Paavo Nurmi, Carl Lewis, Jackie Joyner-Kersee and Bernard Lagat all having competed in the Millrose Games.
Fred Schmertz was one of the founding members of the meet when he was 20 years old in 1908. He served as meet director from 1933 until 1974 when he retired and handed the job to Howard. Howard remained as meet director until being named meet director emeritus in 2003.