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Gone but not forgotten
Platteville football remembers former coaches Taylor White and Joe Schambow
White
Platteville’s Zach McClain (16), Porter Mandurano (68) and John Baxter (73) presented former assistant coach Taylor White’s family — (from left) Michelle White, Amanda Fitzgerald, Bronson White and Russ White — with a framed #50 Hillmen jersey and a football signed by this year’s Platteville players and coaches. - photo by Jason Nihles
Schambow
Platteville’s Riley Donahoe (21) and Derek Digman (5) presented former assistant coach Joe Schambow’s family — (from left) Derek, Brock, Luann and Cody Schambow — with a canvas portrait of Joe during the 2013 D4 state championship game and a football signed by this year’s Platteville players and coaches. - photo by Jason Nihles

PLATTEVILLE — Prior to the kickoff of Platteville High School’s SWC football game against Prairie du Chien, the Hillmen football program paid tribute to a pair of former assistant coaches Taylor White and Joe Schambow, who both died in the past two years. 

White’s young son, Bronson, also led the Hillmen onto the field prior to the game wearing his father’s number 50 jersey.

Over the years, both White and Schambow contributed to the lives of 1,000s of Platteville’s youth and their impact is still felt today.

White died on Aug. 25, 2020 as the result of a swimming accident. Schambow died of stomach cancer July 6.

Coach Whitey, as he was known by his players, graduated from PHS in 2007, started his coaching career in 2010 continued as an assistant football coach in the program until 2018. 

White was always known for his selflessness. During his coaching tenure at Platteville High, he also helped coach the Platteville youth baseball programs. Coach White was also seen smiling with players, and was always there when a player needed something. 

White’s parents Russ and Michelle, son Bronson and Amanda Fitzgerald were welcomed to midfield prior to kickoff where they presented with a framed #50 Hillmen jersey and an encased football signed by this year’s players and coaches in coach White’s memory. 

Platteville football then recognized coach Schambow’s family. 

He was a 1978 graduate from Platteville high school, Coach Schambow, a 1978 graduate of PHS, coached with the Hillmen football program from 2002–2016, while also serving as the throws coach with the PHS track and field program from 2006–22. He also helped start the Platteville Youth Football Program. 

Coach Schambow was not only known for his ability to coach players on the field, but also helping them off the field; comforting them anytime they needed, and giving guidance when it was needed. 

The Platteville football program invited coach Schambow’s family — wife Luann, and sons Derek, Cody, and Brock — onto the field prior to Friday’s kickoff to be presented with a canvas portrait of Coach Schambow on the sideline during the 2013 WIAA D4 state championship game an encased football signed by this year’s players and coaches.

This year’s Hillmen coaches have preached to the players about the dedication that White and Schambow gave to the program and the many sacrifices that they made to all the players they worked with. 

“We especially want to thank the families of the two great men that we are honoring today for their sacrifices as well,”  the Platteville PA announcer read during the presentation. “We know that they were gone many nights because of coaching or practice, and we want to thank all of you for sharing these amazing men with us!”

“I would like to say thank you to everyone in the community that came out to support those two families that we were honoring,” said Platteville head coach Bryce Arneson. “Talking with the team after the game, I told them that Bronson will never forget that moment with the team, and they should always cherish that.”