Long-serving ESPN producer and statistician, Howie Schwab, famed for his role in the network’s beloved “Stump the Schwab” game show during the 2000s, passed away on Saturday at the age of 63.
A tribute to Schwab was broadcasted on “SportsCenter” during its Saturday morning segment.
ESPN college basketball analyst, Dick Vitale, also took to social media to share the news, mentioning Schwab’s long-standing struggle with “various health issues.” No specific cause of death was provided immediately.
“So sad to learn of the passing of my loyal dedicated buddy @howieschwab – he was recently at my home,” Vitale wrote. “Had various health issues but was feeling good when he visited.”
Schwab’s tenure at ESPN primarily involved working behind the scenes since he joined the company in 1987.
However, in 2004, he stepped into the limelight with the debut of “Stump the Schwab,” hosted by the late Stuart Scott.
Contestants engaged in intense sports trivia battles, culminating in a showdown with Schwab himself, renowned for his encyclopedic knowledge spanning all sports and eras.
Running for four seasons, the show concluded its run in 2006.
Additionally, Schwab made appearances on the early episodes of “First Take,” where he rated his excitement for upcoming sporting events using a “Bags of Chips” scale ranging from 1 to 5.
In 2013, ESPN ended its association with Schwab. He subsequently joined Fox Sports, serving as a writer and consultant for “Sports Jeopardy!”