Jerry Schemmel admits that at one time he wasn’t a man of great faith, but that all changed on July 19, 1989.
Schemmel was one of 184 survivors of United Airlines Flight 232 that made a crash landing on that date in Sioux City, Iowa. The crash claimed the lives of 112 onboard, including Schemmel’s friend and Continental Basketball Association Commissioner Jay Ramsdell.
“I had no spiritual foundation whatsoever back then – I mean nothing,” Schemmel said. “I was just floating around thinking I was a hotshot young broadcaster. That plane crash completely changed my life and brought me to Jesus.”
Schemmel, the former play-by-play announcer for the Colorado Rockies and Denver Nuggets, will be the featured speaker for the Fremont Area Leadership Prayer Breakfast that is scheduled for April 15 at Hopkins Arena on the Midland University campus. Doors open at 6:30 a.m. with the event set for 7. Tickets are $25 each with tables of eight available for $200.
Schemmel, who is currently the voice of the University of Northern Colorado football and men’s basketball, was born in Madison, S.D.
“I’m from the Midwest and I’ve been to Fremont many, many times,” he said. “My father sold feed and I would travel with him. There was an outpost of some sort in Fremont so I was there several times. I haven’t been there for a long time and I’m looking forward to coming back.”
Schemmel was hailed as a hero following the crash. After he was able to escape the wreckage, he heard a baby crying. He went back and rescued 11-month-old Sabrina Lee Michaelson.
Schemmel will share how the tragedy of Sioux City led to him becoming a Christian.
“I’m looking forward to sharing my story in Fremont,” he said.
Emcee Brian Essen said the Good Friday event is a great way to start the Easter weekend.
“Good Friday is a somber day, but we always leave there uplifted by the message of the gospel and the wonderful speakers we have,” he said. “That’s why we’re so excited to have Jerry with us this year because he has such a great story.”
The prayer breakfast has been virtual the past two years, including in 2021 when actor Kirk Cameron provided a recorded message. Mayor Joey Spellerberg said he is looking forward to an in-person event.
“It’s been a pleasure for me to be a part of this event,” he said. “We’ll get close to 500 people to come to this. It is one of the area’s most attended events. It is just awesome the support that we get. … We’re looking to fill up Hopkins Arena.”
Tickets are available at www.fremontne.org or at the Fremont Area Chamber, 128 E. Sixth Street.
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