Jerome “Jerry” Schmitz grew up in Howard Lake, Minnesota, where he was a solid wrestler, taking District Runner-up honors as a senior. He attended Willmar Junior College, where he was a Junior College State Champ for Roy Minter as a Sophomore, then enrolled at St. Cloud State and wrestled under John Oxton, where he was a two-time Conference Champion (and NIC Outstanding Wrestler as a Senior). Schmitz was a two-time Division II All-American, finishing as a national runner-up in his senior year. Jerry went on to be an outstanding Freestyle and Greco wrestler, winning a silver medal in the Pan American Games in 1979.

Jerry continued to stay heavily involved in wrestling and was instrumental in producing the first Minnesota State Tournament broadcast and served as a color commentator/producer for numerous high school matches in the Northwest Metro area. Schmitz was awarded the Mn / USA Wrestling Media Award in 1988 for televising the Minnesota State Freestyle and Greco tournaments.

Jerry and his wife, Jane, are both retired and reside in Annandale.