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The sports world is in mourning on Saturday after news of the passing of one-time ESPN star Howie ‘The Schwab’ Schwab.
Schwab joined ESPN in 1987 and later became the lead producer of ESPN.com. He then served as a coordinating producer for ESPN studio production, including headline shoes SportsCenter and Outside The Lines.
But the New York was most popular for his run on ESPN’s “Stump the Schwab,” a show which saw contestants test their sporting knowledge against Schwab.
News of his passing broke early Saturday morning.
So sad to learn of the passing of my loyal dedicated buddy @howieschwab – he was recently at my home . Had various health issues but was feeling good when he visited .May he please RIP pic.twitter.com/mbkiZ9h5cg
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) April 20, 2024
The tributes quickly began to flow in on social media.
It’s the mid-2000s. You get home from middle school on Tuesday afternoon. You pop some pizza rolls in the toaster oven and crack open an AriZona iced tea. You turn on ESPN2. Your math homework can wait. It’s time for “Stump the Schwab.”
Thanks for being a legend, @howieschwab. pic.twitter.com/L1L1MR8HKF
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) April 20, 2024
RIP to a legend @howieschwab. We can all agree Stump the Schwab was an all-time show. When he jumped into bracket forecasts for Fox and I was in the early days of hosting Shootaround trying to find guests, Howie always said yes and was giving of his time. A great and kind person. pic.twitter.com/Xco6TQf3ZE
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) April 20, 2024
RIP in peace Howie Schwab
Nobody could Stump The Schwab pic.twitter.com/0U44PIzI6f
— Korked Bats (@korkedbats) April 20, 2024
While ESPN’s programming has changed dramatically, there was a time when seemingly every sports fan was in awe of “The Schwab.”
RIP to The Schwab. As a sports nerd kid growing up, learning about him and watching Stump The Schwab was so cool. https://t.co/auUs5DhHBO
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) April 20, 2024
The whole research staff at ESPN was great, but Howie Schwab was a walking sports stats & info encyclopedia as he just recalled almost any piece of information you asked him for. His show “Stump the Schwab” — hosted by Stu Scott — showcased that. #RIPHowie pic.twitter.com/oqRZiLyXI3
— Charles T (@ChuckyT3) April 20, 2024
RIP to the 🐐, the Schwab locked in during the final showdown round was a sight to see https://t.co/sONsQiVYe2 pic.twitter.com/L6E9FL7w1z
— Terry Pegula AKA NIL Daddy (@Poerbler) April 20, 2024
Schwab was 63 years old.