Former Wisconsin football standout Dave Schreiner was a modest man, nervously blushing for pictures, whether as a young boy or a star athlete on the field.
In one photo, as a 12-year-old, he looked plain shy, even though he was standing next to his best friend, Mark Hoskins. He just didn't revel in the attention even though he garnered respect from his teammates and peers.
Trouble was, he was a born leader and with Mark by his side, the All-American tight end captained the Badgers to one of their best seasons, finishing 8-1-1 in 1942.
""The Touchdown Twins,"" as they were commonly known growing up in the tiny town of Lancaster, 85 miles southwest of Madison, were constant companions—playing football, ice skating in the winter, going on picnics—said Mary, Mark's widow.
Post-1945, however, photos and memories were all that kept their relationship alive.
Dave Schreiner died on June 21, 1945, one day after he sustained injuries during the battle of Okinawa in Japan—the final major battle of World War II.
Until Mark's death in 2003, the Hoskins would sift through photos, remembering their friend.
""People knew him as a wonderful fellow, as a football star, as a good student,"" Mary said. ""He was all of those things. He had humility, and to us, he was just Dave.""
Dave's legacy will affirm itself at UW on Saturday, when his name and uniform No. 80 will grace the towering wall of Camp Randall Stadium—only the third player to receive that recognition. Both in the 1940s and today, 63 years after Dave missed his graduation ceremony to begin military training, his effect on his alma mater is strong and wide-reaching.
Dave is one of four UW athletes to have their number put up in Camp Randall—the other three halftime ceremonies will occur during the other Badger home Big Ten games.
""[The athletic department] decided to do this to resurrect old memories and shine light on people like Dave Schreiner,"" said Vince Sweeney, UW-Madison associate athletic director. ""He was not only a hero for athletic exploits, but also for his service for the country and the ultimate sacrifice of giving his life for his country.""
For some, the halftime ceremony will also represent other war veterans.
""Saturday, when [the university] unveils his name, it's for everybody—all members of that 1942 team,"" said Terry Frei, author of ""Third Down and A War to Go."" A book detailing the lives of members of the 1942 team, most of whom went to war.
""I think this is a nice way of honoring people who participated in World War II,"" said Dave Donnellan, a third string tackle and Battle of the Bulge veteran, who played with Dave in 1942. ""Using Dave as an embodiment of a capable, outstanding leader during that time is well-deserved. It may give younger generations an idea of what it was like [in the 1940s].""
No. 3: that's how the 1942 Badger football team ended its season—highly touted as the best-ever Wisconsin squad. Dave was flowered with success—finishing the season with 17 catches for 371 yards in 10 games. Those numbers are huge: Owen Daniels, former UW star tight end, gained 289 yards in 12 games in 2005.
Off the field, Dave was viewed as the ""All-American Boy.""
""He was the walking embodiment of the influence an athlete could have, both within the ranks of his fellow athletes and teammates, and within the student body,"" Frei said. ""He showed that an athlete could be a positive role model.""
Perhaps his desire to set an example is why Dave joined the Marines and his countrymen in battles, suggested Donnellan.
Life brings the unexpected, said Donnellan, who found out about Dave's death reading an Army newspaper while fighting in Germany.
""I realized death of friends could happen, but we had to keep going,"" he said. ""That's what Dave would have wanted. It's what he instilled in me: He was dutiful and loyal.""
In World War II, more than 400,000 Americans died.
More than 8,000 were from Wisconsin.
The death toll of UW-Madison graduates was 486.
The battle of Okinawa lasted 82 days. In that time, there were nearly 12,500 Americans who died or were missing. Twelve were college football players, according to ""Third Down.""
Dave was one of two 1942 Wisconsin team members to pass away.
Combat claimed the life of the other—tackle Bob Baumann—just 15 days before Dave's death.
""[World War II] was a period that was filled with so much tragedy. Today, there is no concept of when the whole country goes to war,"" said 83-year-old Arlene Chandler, Baumann's fiancAce and former Daily Cardinal business manager. ""A whole world is turned upside down, and hopefully [Dave's name in Camp Randall] will help this generation—and future generations—realize that.""
After Dave's death, Donnellan said the football team whispered mentions of its former captain and knew it was important for his legacy to continue.
The university retired Dave's No. 80 following news of his death. In 1948, the university established a fund in his name. Then, $10,000 was given each year to a UW football player, said Judy Corfield, Schreiner's niece. Mark Hoskins' name was added to the scholarship in 1990, and it now stands as a full athletic scholarship, according to Marija Neubauer, UW's associate athletic director for development.
Today, Rust-Schreiner Hall, located at 115 N. Orchard St. near Camp Randall, houses graduate students and University Health Services counseling.
In Lancaster—population 4,700—Schreiner Memorial Library covers an entire block on Main Street. Mayor Jerry Wehrle said he hopes a museum honoring Dave will soon follow.
""Dave's story shows how important the University of Wisconsin plays in our lives,"" Wehrle said. ""These men will remain heroes forever.""
