Gary Schleper
2026 Hall of Fame Inductee
Shakopee, MN
Shakopee, MN
Gary’s baseball roots run deep in one of Minnesota's true townball families as his dad, Joe, and uncle, Elmer Schleper, are already enshrined in the Minnesota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame. Growing up in Shakopee, some of Gary’s fondest memories are playing wiffle ball in his back yard and later playing amateur baseball alongside three of his brothers for the Shakopee Indians with their dad as manager.
As a standout three-sport athlete at Shakopee High School, Gary earned All-Conference and team MVP honors in football, basketball and baseball, while also serving as team captain in all three. He received All-Metro and All-State recognition in football, helped lead Shakopee to three conference championships in football and baseball, and was named the school's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1982. He was inducted into the Shakopee High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
At Southwest State University, Gary earned eight varsity letters and was All-Conference four times in football and baseball. A three-time NAIA All-District selection and a Northern Intercollegiate Conference MVP in baseball, he graduated as the school's career leader in home runs and doubles. He was inducted into the Southwest State University Athletics Hall of Honor in 2015.
Gary debuted with the Shakopee Indians in 1979 at age 15 and played townball for 29 seasons. He appeared in 10 state tournaments with Shakopee and five more as a drafted pitcher, contributing to Jordan's state championship teams in 1986 and 1994. He remains Shakopee’s all-time home run leader with 140. His retired #44 hangs proudly at Joe Schleper Stadium.
Gary was Shakopee’s player-manager from 1990–2007 and has been the team's manager since 2014. Under his guidance, Shakopee has reached 15 state tournaments, including two runner-up and three third-place finishes. Gary coached 9th grade baseball at Shakopee High School for three seasons and was a volunteer coach of the 14U Shakopee Youth Baseball Association for 16 seasons. He volunteered as an announcer for Shakopee High School baseball for multiple seasons and is a member of the Shakopee Stadium Committee that oversees care and capital improvements for Joe Schleper Stadium. Gary led efforts when Shakopee hosted state amateur tournaments in 2008, 2018, 2020, 2024 and 2026. He’s heavily involved in ballpark capital improvements and doing unnoticed tasks like stocking the concession stand and organizing fundraisers. Since 2018, Gary has also served on the MBA State Board.
Throughout Gary’s career, he was supported by his parents, Joe and Rose, along with siblings Joe, Jr., Linda, Jeanne, Dave, Bill, Tom and Jen while being a loving and supportive uncle to 17 nieces and nephews.
As a standout three-sport athlete at Shakopee High School, Gary earned All-Conference and team MVP honors in football, basketball and baseball, while also serving as team captain in all three. He received All-Metro and All-State recognition in football, helped lead Shakopee to three conference championships in football and baseball, and was named the school's Senior Athlete of the Year in 1982. He was inducted into the Shakopee High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2004.
At Southwest State University, Gary earned eight varsity letters and was All-Conference four times in football and baseball. A three-time NAIA All-District selection and a Northern Intercollegiate Conference MVP in baseball, he graduated as the school's career leader in home runs and doubles. He was inducted into the Southwest State University Athletics Hall of Honor in 2015.
Gary debuted with the Shakopee Indians in 1979 at age 15 and played townball for 29 seasons. He appeared in 10 state tournaments with Shakopee and five more as a drafted pitcher, contributing to Jordan's state championship teams in 1986 and 1994. He remains Shakopee’s all-time home run leader with 140. His retired #44 hangs proudly at Joe Schleper Stadium.
Gary was Shakopee’s player-manager from 1990–2007 and has been the team's manager since 2014. Under his guidance, Shakopee has reached 15 state tournaments, including two runner-up and three third-place finishes. Gary coached 9th grade baseball at Shakopee High School for three seasons and was a volunteer coach of the 14U Shakopee Youth Baseball Association for 16 seasons. He volunteered as an announcer for Shakopee High School baseball for multiple seasons and is a member of the Shakopee Stadium Committee that oversees care and capital improvements for Joe Schleper Stadium. Gary led efforts when Shakopee hosted state amateur tournaments in 2008, 2018, 2020, 2024 and 2026. He’s heavily involved in ballpark capital improvements and doing unnoticed tasks like stocking the concession stand and organizing fundraisers. Since 2018, Gary has also served on the MBA State Board.
Throughout Gary’s career, he was supported by his parents, Joe and Rose, along with siblings Joe, Jr., Linda, Jeanne, Dave, Bill, Tom and Jen while being a loving and supportive uncle to 17 nieces and nephews.