Celebrating Steve Scheel: Visionary Retailer, Dedicated Volunteer, and Community Champion

We're honored to have Steve Scheel featured in this year's Speaker Series.  Steve Scheel was born and raised in Fargo North Dakota, and graduated from Fargo Central High School and St. Olaf College with degrees in U.S. history, economics, and political science. Steve received an honorary doctorate in Leadership and Philanthropy from the University of Mary, and received the Legacy Award from the Fargo Chamber of Commerce in 2020 for his work in business and the community. He served in the US Army from 1969 – 1971. Steve joined Scheels in 1972 and managed Scheels stores in Fargo, Casselton, Moorhead, and Sioux Falls before taking over as President, CEO, and Chairman in 1989. Steve retired on June 30, 2024 and serves as Chairman Emeritus for Scheels, with over 13,000 associates and 34 stores in 16 states. Scheels currently operates the 30 largest sporting goods / sportswear stores in the USA. Scheels Corporate Headquarters is located in Fargo and the company is an ESOP, owned by the employees.

As a volunteer, Steve has served on Boards and Committees for organizations ranging from the United Way and the Chamber of Commerce, to the Campfire Council, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, to the Moorhead Healthy Community Initiative and Junior Achievement, to Trinity and First Lutheran Church, MeritCare Health Systems, the Moorhead Economic Development Authority, Bell State Bank, and as a Regent for Concordia College, and on the Global Leadership Council for the Offutt School of Business at Concordia College. Steve currently serves on the Moorhead School District Champions Committee, the Downtown Moorhead, Inc. Board, and works with the Friends of the Children, and the Legacy Children’s Foundation in Fargo. LCF is a new foundation working to help more young people in Fargo stay in school, understand what it means to be a contributing member of a community, and graduate from high school.  Steve coached youth soccer and hockey in Moorhead for 16 years and works with the Hunter Education program in Fargo.

Steve’s passions outside of work currently include biking vacations around the world with his wife Eileen, mountain biking, snowshoeing, skiing, hobby farming, hunting & fishing, and following the activities of grandchildren. Steve and Eileen have five adult children, fifteen grandchildren, and live in Moorhead, Minnesota.