University of San Francisco Athletics

SAN FRANCISCO — The University of San Francisco Athletics Department mourns the loss of one of its Hall of Famers this week, Paul Schramka of Dons baseball fame, who passed away on Monday back in his home state of Wisconsin.
 
Schramka played baseball on The Hilltop from 1946-50. His talents early on in his career caught the eye of a scout from the Chicago Cubs, who signed him to a minor league contract while Schramka retained his release so he could earn a college scholarship. After starting at the University of Notre Dame, Schramka came to USF, where he batted .410 and hit four home runs in 19 games as one of the most outstanding collegiate baseball players in the Bay Area.
 
His talent and dedication to baseball earned him a starting spot in the opening day lineup for the 1953 Chicago Cubs. One of his claims to fame is having been the last player to wear No. 14 with the Cubs before MLB Hall of Famer Ernie Banks wore it.
 
After his professional career ended, "Schrammy" returned to Milwaukee and continued to play at a high level in the Milwaukee County Langsdorf League with the Falk Corporation. When his playing days ended, he continued to support and promote baseball as the longtime president of the Old Time Ballplayers Association, the World Series Club and coaching.
 
After USF, Schramka served in the 4th Infantry division during the Korean War from October 1950 to October 1952. After leaving the service, Schramka went back to the Cubs at the Major League level in 1953 before entering the minor league ball system for the Cubs.
 
Paul never forgot where he came from and was a Charter Member and current President of the Riverwest Alumni Assn. He was a member of the Messmer High School Athletic Hall of Fame, University of San Francisco Athletic Hall of Fame, and the Wisconsin Baseball Hall of Fame.
 
Schramka will be laid to rest on Tuesday in Mequon, Wisc.