Steve D. Scheel Receives 50th Roughrider Award

FARGO, N.D. (KVRR) — For 60 years, Steve Scheel has been part of a long line of generations who have worked in the family-owned business. Currently, with 34 stores across 16 states, Scheel has put his heart into his work and with his employees.

“I’ve always thought of myself not as a president or as CEO or a board chair, but as a head cheerleader at Scheels and I still do today,” said Steve Scheel.

Scheel is the 50th recipient the Theodore Roosevelt Rough Rider Award. It’s an award that recognizes a North Dakotan who has achieved national recognition in their field.

“You Steve have proven that the American Dream is alive and well and attainable to those that chase it. And you’ve created that American Dream for thousands of other team members. You’ve inspired North Dakotans, you’ve inspired Americans, you’ve inspired countless others and you inspire people not just by your business expense. But you’ve inspired people to get outside to create their own adventures,” said Gov. Doug Burgum.

Speakers at the ceremony say Scheel is a man who had a vision and put his mind to what he saw best. Putting things like the Ferris wheel, a candy store, and an aquarium that even board members would have never considered putting into a store, but made happen.

“He is a man with a vision and it’s not just locked somewhere deep inside of him. He knows how to get it out there, he knows how to convince people of it and rally them. He is indeed the head cheerleader not just for Scheels, but for so many of us,” said Monsignor James Patrick Shea, President of the University of Mary.

The current CEO of Scheels shared that many employees have accounted how with Scheel’s leadership it impacted their lives.

“His legacy will go far beyond his time at Scheel’s and it will truly last forever. Two main themes if you were to read all these quote: Steve led me to do things I would never thought possible. Both personally and professionally. Number two theme, I owe so much of my business and personal life to what I learned from Steve,” said Matt Hanson, CEO of Scheels.

Scheel accepted the award from Burgum, who is the eighth governor to present the Roughrider Award in its 50th-year history.

Scheel’s framed photo will be on display in Scheel’s 45th St. location in South Fargo. Another will be on display in the capitol building in Bismarck.