Beautiful weather was in play for the official dedication of the C. Christian Schmid Pavilion at Solomon Field on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025. The guest of honor, longtime former D-E Athletic Director and Coach Chris Schmid (aka “Schmiddy”), was joined by his family and more than 150 donors, alumni, students, current and former faculty/staff, and friends for this milestone event. 

D-E Board of Trustees President Dr. Ami P. Vaidya ’91 P ’24, ’26 gave welcome remarks and spoke about “how amazing it is at a school like ours where the past and the present always come together” and acknowledged the huge impact that Coach Schmid made on the lives of D-E students and families.

JD Sand, D-E Athletic Director, stood up next to provide amusing anecdotes and standout achievements from Schmiddy’s 40+ years at D-E, including turning “Dwight-Englewood Soccer into a dynasty before dynasties were cool”; racking up private school state championships, league titles, and multiple Coach of the Year awards; joining the 300-win club; and getting himself into three Hall of Fames.

“Schmiddy’s impact has never been measured by numbers on a scoreboard or his many accolades,” said Mr. Sand. “Instead, it has been defined by the young people that he has helped shape, the lives that he has touched, and the overall lasting positive impact that he has had on our community.”

Other event highlights included words from Jay Agresta ’84 P ’22, ’28, who described Schmiddy as a pioneer and “a builder of programs, of teams, of opportunities, and mostly of character in his students and his players.” He also acknowledged D-E leadership and the Schmid Pavilion committee members, including Maria Sanchez Gardner ’78 and former D-E Interim Head of School / Assistant Head of School for Advancement Pat Boig, for working toward the completion of this years-long project.

Next, Schmiddy’s son, Erich Schmid ’02, provided meaningful personal insights about his father—revealing funny quirks to his coaching style such as banning facial hair and long hair—and described what it was like to have grown up on the D-E campus. “I’ll tell you who Coach Schmid is,” remarked Erich. “He’s a man who made it his life’s work to raise generations of young athletes, myself included. I just happen to be the luckiest of them all… all the others have graduated and moved on, but he is still and always will be with me, helping me become more than simply a successful athlete, but a better and stronger person than I was yesterday.”

In a speech sprinkled with comedic remarks fully characteristic of his inimitable sense of humor, Schmiddy expressed heartfelt thanks to his family, including his wife of 46 years, Lisa Schmid, also a former D-E faculty/staff member and coach. He also thanked the many individuals responsible for the construction of the Pavilion, which he felt was a much-needed shelter and rest stop for athletes and their families. “This beautiful Pavilion is more than just a building to me,” he said. “It’s a testament to the community that’s been my home for nearly five decades… I’m so proud to be a part of the School story, and I look forward to seeing the wonderful things that will happen here.”

To further commemorate the event, Realf Schermer ’87 read a State of New Jersey Proclamation officially recognizing the Pavilion Dedication event. The framed Proclamation certificate was then presented to Coach Schmid.

And then it was time for the ceremonial ribbon cutting by Schmiddy, after which he received a deservedly long-lasting standing ovation. Huge thanks go out to Schmiddy for his enduring legacy in the life of D-E. We truly appreciate all that you’ve done for this community!