Msgr. Jerome Schmit CYO Athletic Complex
We are proud of the Monsignor Schmit CYO Athletic Complex and all the space it provides for our youth to grow and play. Ground was broken on September 30th, 1998, built on 35 acres of Diocesan owned cemetery land. The complex parking lot has spots for 900 cars. Softball first pitches were May 17th, 1999. Football and soccer games were first played at the Complex in September 1999. Bishop Hoffman blessed and dedicated the Complex on September 17th, 2000. The eight softball diamonds were converted to stone in 2019, to help with drainage from rain.
Who was Monsignor Jerome Schmit?
A son of SS. Peter & Paul Parish, Monsignor Schmit was born on December 4, 1910. He graduated from St. John’s High School in 1928. He graduated from St John’s College in 1932, and did graduate work in Scripture and Theology at Pontifical Josephinum. Monsignor obtained his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., in 1941.
For over 50 years, Monsignor Schmit served the youth of Northwest Ohio. A year after his ordination, he was appointed to Catholic Charities and was named assistant director of the Catholic Youth Organization. Under his guidance, the C.Y.O. evolved into the most successful unit in the state — an original four basketball teams eventually reached over 600! Having been first appointed Assistant Director of Catholic Charities and Director of Diocesan Youth Department in 1942, Monsignor expanded the Catholic Club Ministry to inner city youth. He further expanded C.Y.O. athletic, cultural and spiritual activities to the entire Diocese of Toledo.
Msgr. Schmit was a founding board member of the Lucas County Recreation Center, the Toledo Mud Hens and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Maumee, Ohio. He was chaplain of the Toledo Police Department and established the Catholic Better Community Development Corp. (now MAREDA) to provide housing for hundreds of elderly, handicapped and low-income persons. He was a board member of the Toledo Legal Aid Society and a member of the Toledo Rotary Club, having received the distinguished Paul Harris Fellow award.
For over 25 years, Msgr. Schmit had served as chaplain for Logsdon-Walla Post No. 639, Catholic War Veterans. We find it fitting that our Post should sponsor a Youth Fund dedicated to our faithful friend and mentor, Msgr. Jerome E. Schmit!
Monsignor passed away on April 10, 1997. He is sorely missed, but his memory will be perpetuated by the good works sponsored by the endowment.
