Mark Schellen
Mark Schellen - Waterloo High School – Class of 1979
Athletic Hall of Fame Induction 2016
Mark Schellen is the most well-known and highly decorated athlete to ever graduate from Waterloo High School. As an athletic standout in high school, Mark earned four letters in football, three in basketball, three in track, and two in wrestling.
In the power-lifting arena, Mark was a ten-time state champion, four-time national champion, and two-time world champion. As a track athlete, Mark qualified for the state track meet twice during his high school career. He also was named all-conference in basketball and scored 22 points in a game against Yutan his senior season.
Mark was certainly a very talented multi-sport athlete, but football is the sport for which he is most well-known. He was named all-conference all four years of high school and also received All-Omaha Area and All-State recognition after his senior season. During the 1978 football season, Mark rushed for over 200 yards for four games in a row. After high school, Mark walked on at the University of Nebraska under legendary college football coach, Tom Osborne. As a Husker fullback, Mark was a devastating lead blocker for Heisman Trophy winner Mike Rozier. His most memorable football memory was playing for the National Championship in the 1984 Orange Bowl against the Miami Hurricanes.
After a great Husker career, Mark went on to play football professionally, first for the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and then for the San Diego Chargers of the NFL. After his professional football career, Mark started a fitness and strength training business in his hometown of Waterloo and has been doing it for 32 years.
Mark and his first wife, Lynne (deceased), had three children; Jennifer, Matt, and Maggie. He now has five grandchildren; Mattix, Noah, Reese, Tate, and Quinn. Mark and his wife Denise currently reside in his hometown of Waterloo, Nebraska.
Please welcome Mark Schellen to Valley, Nebraska and into the Douglas County West Athletic Hall Fame!