Mayville’s Jacob Schellpfeffer making an impact on young athletes

Jacob Schellpfeffer has made a name for himself on the playing field. He has played on the varsity football team and has starred on the baseball team for Mayville High School. However, the senior also takes pride in being a mentor to many of the young kids in the Mayville community. Schellpfeffer has given back to the youth of Mayville in a number of ways. He has developed a passion for coaching. When he is not on the field, Schellpfeffer coaches both a flag football and tee ball team. He tries to instill the value of teamwork and positive attitudes in the young athletes. “I like helping kids out and want to do everything I can to make them better,” said Schellpfeffer, “Coaching those young kids in baseball was probably my favorite thing that I have done.” In addition to coaching youth sports, Schellpfeffer assists during open gym. He also works the chains for 5th and 6th grade football games. In the small town of Mayville, high school athletes like Schellpfeffer are very recognizable. It is the response from many kids before his varsity games that mean so much to him. “Just to see the anticipation and excitement on their faces when I high-five them before a game,” said Schellpfeffer, “it feels good, but also rewarding because I know that I have made an impact on their lives.” While his main interests reside in volunteering in athletics, Schellpfeffer made an effort to branch out. He has participated in a number of other volunteer works in the Mayville community. He has donated blood and has also helped special needs students by taking them Christmas shopping to buy presents for their families. Schellpfeffer also heads the Mayville High School Interact club. Schellpfeffer and other members assist in setting up the decorations and lights for the town during the holidays. The Interact club does a little bit of everything to help the town for the holidays. “Me and a group of friends will help out with anything the community needs.” Schellpfeffer said. “If there is a parade, we make sure we get to it, and if there is any other way we can help out, we’ll make sure to do that right away.” Assisting in the community started at a relatively young age for Schellpfeffer. But he has continued to make an impact on the lives of young athletes throughout his high school years. “I probably started [helping out] in eighth grade,” said Schellpfeffer, “I just wanted to make a difference.” For as long as he can remember, Jacob Schellpfeffer has had a passion for sports. He assists the youth in the Mayville community because he wants to give kids the opportunity to share the same love of sports that he does. By coaching and also assisting in skills camps and open gyms, Schellpfeffer not only wants to help the kids get better on the playing field, but he also wants to stress the importance of giving back to the younger generation. “I want to help these kids strive in their athletics,” Schellpfeffer said, “but I also want to show how involved people can get, and hopefully they can help the younger kids when they are my age.” Schellpfeffer will be going Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa next year on a baseball scholarship, but he plans on continuing his work with young kids. Athletes are o en recognized for the work they do on the field. The 2018 Wisconsin High School Sports Awards recognizes those accomplishments but also highlights positive impacts off the field with the I AM SPORT Award, presented by the Milwaukee Bucks.