Joe Schmit


“I have fun doing my job and I hope that the viewer can tell that. It sure beats working for a living.”


Previous Experience

Joe Schmit joined KSTP-TV in 1985 and has won 17 Emmys from the National Television Academy.  He was also honored with a National Headliner Award for leading 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS’ coverage of the 2001 death of Minnesota Vikings offensive lineman, Kory Stringer. Joe is also a regular contributor on 1500 ESPN radio. He has written his first book, “Silent Impact: Influence Through Purpose, Persistence, and Passion” and is a popular keynote speaker.

Before joining the station in 1985, he was Sports Director for WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin. His career also includes positions as weekend sports anchor for KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and WKBT-TV in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Joe earned his degree in Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Community Service

Joe is a long time youth mentor committed to advocating for a number of community organizations. Big Brothers and Big Sisters is at the top of his list. He is a past president and board member of the Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Greater Twin Cities. He has raised over $3 million for the organization through the Joe Schmit Celebrity Golf Tournament, which had a 16-year run. In 2000, he was the winner of the Jim Kelly Distinguished Service Award from Big Brothers and Big Sisters, and in 2001, a winner of the Odyssey Award for commitment to youth mentorship. Joe was also honored as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF) Community Leader of the Year in 2005. He is past president and board member of the Fairway Foundation and has contributed time to many other charitable organizations.

Currently Joe is a member of the PACER Advisory Board and the Minnesota Vikings Advisory Board. Joe and his wife Laura chaired a major capital campaign for VEAP, the largest food shelf in Minnesota.

Personal Interests

Joe, his wife Laura and their three children live in Bloomington.