Scheffler joins the Wayne Herald

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After spending 11 years full-time with Wayne Radio, LLC, Aaron Scheffler has recently joined the team at the Wayne Herald to expand the weekly paper's sports coverage.

A native of Columbus, Scheffler graduated from Wayne State College (December 2013) and has been writing part-time for nearly a year with the local paper since last summer.

"I've been in Wayne since 2010, except for a brief six-month period in Yankton, South Dakota, following graduation," said Scheffler. "Wayne is a community that has grown on me, and everywhere I go, I'm pushing the 'Wayne America' brand."

After graduating from Columbus Lakeview in 2010, Scheffler attended Wayne State College, where the campus radio station (KWSC 91.9 The Cat) gave him his big break into the world of mass communications.

"There were so many great professors that not only provided me with their vast knowledge but also allowed me to take chances and try my way," Scheffler added. "It was during the 2011-12 basketball season that I first experienced the passion of broadcasting and will never look back."

Following a six-month stint in Yankton, South Dakota, working part-time in phone sales and high school basketball play-by-play, Scheffler returned to Wayne, where he began his career as the news and sports director at Wayne Radio, LLC.

Scheffler worked part-time at the local radio station from 2011 until graduation and then began full-time in July 2014. He covered numerous northeast Nebraska high school sporting events, Wayne State College athletics and area happenings.

Along with broadcasting several games at the Pinnacle Bank Arena for northeast Nebraska teams during the state basketball championships and state softball memories for the Blue Devils,  top highlights for Scheffler was traveling out to Pennsylvania for the DII Volleyball Elite 8, sitting courtside during Volleyball Day in Nebraska at Memorial Stadium, being recognized with an NSIC championship football ring and covering women's basketball in Canada along with rugby in the backwoods of Minnesota and going down to San Antonio, Texas for the DII Women's Basketball Elite 8 while in college.

From fall, winter and spring to summer softball and American Legion baseball, Scheffler enjoys the sports world as a year-round passion.

During the summer of 2024, Scheffler began writing part-time for the Wayne Herald and on May 5, started a new full-time career as a sportswriter/editor and completing editorial duties for the local paper.

"I've always had a passion for sports at a young age, competing in every sport I could, and I thank my parents for their encouragement and allowing me to pursue my dreams," Scheffler mentioned. "I want to thank David Kelly, owner/station manager at Wayne Radio, LLC and the staff there for the opportunity to become my voice and to Kevin Peterson, Publisher for the Wayne Herald for this new addition in communications which will allow me to expand on my sports writing and create new joys for the area readers."

Another part of his job will be the layout of the paper. After 49 years at the Wayne Herald, Alyce Henschke is retiring.

"I thank Alyce for all the wisdom she has shared and continues to provide me with Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and all the other new experiences I'm gaining at the Wayne Herald," said Scheffler. "Her knowledge will not be replaced but built upon for what she has done to become a leader with the paper."

When asked how you can do what you do, Scheffler responded with family.

"I have a great support system at home with my family and extended family," said Scheffler. "Sami has been my #1 supporter, and if it weren't for her willingness to put up with my extra talking at home about all the sports I'm looking ahead to cover or her words of wisdom that calm me down so I don't overwork myself, what I do would not be possible." 

Aaron and Sami Scheffler will be celebrating their six-year wedding anniversary this June. They are the parents of Amelia, age two. Both have lived in the community together since 2014. Sami is also a Wayne State College graduate (Spring 2016) and is currently employed at Providence Medical Center as the Foundation and Marketing Director.

Scheffler plans to continue covering Wayne State College football, basketball, and volleyball and expand coverage with WSC for additional sports broadcasts. He'll also provide additional play-by-play for high school broadcasts pending availability.

When not seen covering a sporting event for the Wayne Herald, on air for Wayne Radio, LLC, driving a bus for First Student or working at Rain Tree Liquors, Scheffler can be found with his family, going on fishing trips with his father and father-in-law, golfing and mowing the yard.

"I look forward to providing additional coverage to Wayne and the surrounding communities, bringing in my radio experience and knowledge," Scheffler added. "Also, I am thankful for all the professional relationships with administration, coaches and the student-athletes I've built. I will include more in-depth information to strengthen northeast Nebraska sports coverage."