Sports World Mourns Death of Longtime ESPN Media Personality Howie Schwab

Mike McDaniel | Apr 20, 2024

Jan. 4, 2011; New Orleans, LA, USA; ESPN logo prior to the 2011 Sugar Bowl between the Arkansas / Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Longtime ESPN media personality Howie Schwab, star of the network's trivia show Stump the Schwab, died on Saturday morning at the age of 63.

Schwab, who was a member of the company from 1987 through 2013, worked in various roles behind the scenes as a producer, and later as the host of the hit trivia show, which ran from 2004 to '06.

Schwab was seen as an invaluable member of the ESPN team, with many media colleagues from past and present sending their condolences upon hearing the news on Saturday.

ESPN's Dick Vitale was among the first to send his thoughts to Schwab and his family on Saturday.

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

Other media members from near and far sent in their thoughts as well on social media.

Howie Schwab was a fountain of information. He was one of one. He loved statistical analysis, trends and anecdotes. And he was incredibly loyal to @DickieV, providing him with stats and background for his broadcasts. He was ESPN family. He continued to reach out to all of us…

— Andy Katz (@TheAndyKatz) April 20, 2024

So incredibly sad to hear of the passing of our old friend @howieschwab. He was a passionate, thorough, dedicated pro and a true sweetheart of a guy. And no one ever knew more about sports. RIP Howie, thanks for all the laughter and insight.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) April 20, 2024

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

So sad to hear of Howie Schwab’s passing this morning. I talked to him twice this past week & knew he was struggling physically. As kind a soul as you will ever meet. And, a ESPN Hall of Famer. RIP “Stump The Schwab” pic.twitter.com/Fyl2nOLDm0

— Fran Fraschilla (@franfraschilla) April 20, 2024

Devastated to learn that Howie Schwab has passed away. Howie was the real spirit of ESPN. No one in Bristol loved sports—or cared about sports—more than Howie. He made the place much smarter, and better. I am grateful that Howie gave me a chance in the summer of 1994, when he was…

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) April 20, 2024

this is so sad. the great Howie Schwab, 63, has passed away. His wife Suzie took care of Howie as his health began to fail in 2020. Howie created “Research” in sports TV when he worked for ESPN and traveled with my guy Dick Vitale for big games. I worked with Howie on a number of…

— Dick Weiss (@HoopsWeiss) April 20, 2024

These mornings are progressively more difficult to take. The one & only Howie Schwab died last night. His wife Suzie took care of Howie as his health began to fail.(this pic in 2018)while working as ⁦@CBBonFOX⁩ Brackets expert. Howie created “Research” in sports TV. RIP🙏😢 pic.twitter.com/u9UTiqAQ3B

— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 20, 2024