Howie Schwab, a former ESPN research guru who rose to become the host of the network’s popular trivia show, has died.
He was 63 years old.
Dick Vitale, a prominent college basketball color commentator for ESPN, posted about the X news, writing: Even though I had various health issues, I felt great when he visited. May he rest in peace. ”
Vitale said in another tweet that he was informed of the news by Schwab’s wife, Susie.
Mr. Schwab joined ESPN in 1987 as a researcher and eventually rose to the role of coordinating producer on shows such as “SportsCenter” and “Outside the Lines.”
He became the star of “Stamp the Schwab,” a trivia show hosted by the late Stuart Scott that aired on ESPN from 2004 to 2006, where he faced off against sports fans in trivia contests.
Schwab compiled a 64-16 record with the program.
“I’m proud of that. Eighty percent is pretty good.” Schwab told The Athletic in 2020.. “There were times when people were better than me. I’ll admit, it wasn’t a problem. I remember once feeling disappointed because this guy was a cocky SOB who hit on me. I was curious.The bottom line is that I’ve been through a lot in sports, and I’ve always been passionate about sports, so I was okay with it.”
Jerry Matalon, founder of Matalon Media and longtime coordinator and talent coach at ESPN, remembered Schwab as a tireless worker.
“No one, both at ESPN and beyond, pursued excellence more than Howie, both as a colleague and as a friend,” Matalon told the Post.
“He was selfless and dedicated to helping others be the best they could be, no matter the circumstances. Having Howie in our lives was an absolute blessing and a privilege. was.”
Schwab was also an on-air talent in the early days of “First Take,” playing couch potato and rating upcoming weekend games on a scale of one to five bags of chips.
After being fired from ESPN in 2013, he worked as a consultant for “Sports Jeopardy” and as a bracketologist for Fox Sports’ college basketball broadcasts.
Schwab, a native of Baldwin, Long Island, was a graduate of St. John’s University, and the basketball program remembered his fans with a tribute from the official X account.
“I’m going to miss those ‘Go SJU’ tweets.” written by basketball program. “Rest in Peace @howieschwab. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends.”
