ESPN personality, producer and St. John’s University graduate Howie Schwab passed away on April 20 at the age of 63.
During his time at St. John’s, Schwab worked for The Torch and WSJU radio. In a 2017 interview, he discussed his early work for ESPN and how he became the “ruler of research” at the “Worldwide Leader in Sports.”
The Long Island native was the star of ESPN Network’s trivia show “Stump the Schwab.” He worked at the network from 1987-2013 where he started in the research department before capturing the sports world with his on-air presence and incredible sports knowledge.
Many media personalities sent their condolences online. College basketball analyst Dick Vitale shared the news through social media.
“A dear friend who was invaluable to my career. I will miss all the late-night phone calls over the years and recently all the text messages since my vocal cord cancer problems. Howie was a fanatical sports lover. May he RIP,” Vitale shared over X.
A dear friend who was invaluable to my career . I will miss all the late night phone calls over the years & recently all the text messages since my vocal cord cancer problems . Howie was a fanatical sports lover .May he RIP !
– via @ESPN App https://t.co/qzgaJs65WW— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 20, 2024
“SportsCenter” also aired a tribute to Schwab during their Saturday morning show. Most of Schwab’s career was spent behind the scenes for ESPN, until “Stump the Schwab” aired in 2004. The trivia show hosted contestants with the final challenge of stumping “The Schwab,” who quickly became known for his encyclopedia-like sports knowledge. Schwab left ESPN in 2013 when he landed a job at Fox Sports as a writer and consultant for “Sports Jeopardy!”
Former “SportsCenter” host Dan Patrick began his April 22 “Dan Patrick Show” with a heartfelt tribute to his “lifelong friend.”
“Howie was sports google, before sports google,” Patrick said. “Google would have googled Howie Schwab. He’s the smartest guy I’ve ever met when it comes to sports knowledge, trivia and information”
Over the weekend, many St. John’s community members sent their condolences through X as well.
“Very sorry to hear of the passing of [Howie Schwab]. He was a great friend and supporter. I will miss getting his messages after every game we play. Thank you for always caring,” Women’s Basketball head coach Joe Tartamella wrote on X.
Very sorry to hear of the passing of @howieschwab He was a great friend and supporter. I will miss getting his messages after every game we play. Thank you for always caring. ❤️🙏#theschwab
— Joe Tartamella (@SJUCoachT) April 20, 2024
The St. John’s Men’s Basketball official account also wrote about his passing.
“Going to miss those ‘Go SJU’ tweets. Rest in peace. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends,” the team wrote through X.
No bigger supporter of St. John’s than @howieschwab. Going to be dearly missed. RIP 💔 https://t.co/u19ZrscDDo
— St. John’s Men’s Soccer (@StJohnsMSoccer) April 20, 2024
St. John’s Men’s Soccer also took to X to share their thoughts and prayers.
“No bigger supporter of St. John’s than [Howie Schwab]. Going to be dearly missed. RIP.”
Schwab encompassed a love for sports throughout his entire career and his knowledge will surely be missed.
