Fred Schmertz was one of the founders of the Millrose Athletic Association in 1908 in New York City. In its heyday, the Millrose Games in New York’s Madison Square Garden was the world’s premier indoor track and field meet. It continues today as one of the major international indoor track events.

In 1915, Schmertz was named assistant director of the Millrose
Games—known in the United States as the Indoor Olympics—and served at that post until 1933, when he became meet director. He held that position until 1974, retiring at age 85, whereupon his son Howard took the Millrose Games’ helm. Fred Schmertz served in an official capacity with several U.S. Olympic teams dating back to 1928.

In 1961, he was chairman of the U.S. Maccabiah Track Team.