Interview: Howard Schwab

By Rhonda Reigstad

Howard Schwab, best known at “The Schwab” from ESPN’s “Stump the Schwab” game show and sultan of sports trivia knowledge, takes time from his busy schedule to answer some of my questions.

I met “The Schwab” at our regional airport in Madison, Wisconsin where I am employed. I was taking off on my scheduled break and noticed him waiting to get on his plane. I went over and asked if he was “The Schwab” from ESPN and he said yes. I introduced myself and spoke with him for a few minutes. He had been in town for an ESPN Radio promotion at a local sports bar pitting himself against sports trivia buffs in a “Stump the Schwab” contest. During our conversation, I mentioned that I was a freelance sportswriter for a couple online publications. I asked him if he would be willing to do an online interview and he said yes.

Below are the questions that I asked him.

What was one of the first things that drew you to sports?

I have been a sports fan all my life. When I was young, I kept track of stats and I knew what I wanted to work on. I think the competition of sports still interests me; the way people can go at it, the energy, enthusiasm and passion.

W hat was your career path to getting your job at ESPN??

I was the editor in chief at a football publication named College and Pro Football Weekly in New York. One of the people who worked at the paper knew some people at ESPN, and the network was looking for research help for their college football show. I started in 1987 on the show that is now College Gameday. I began doing research on the program that featured Tim Brando (now at CBS), Beano Cook and Karie Ross, who is now Karie Ross-Dombrowski, wife of Tigers president Dave Dombrowski.

What is your job at ESPN??

I am a coordinating producer and also part-time talent, since I do the trivia show “Stump the Schwab”, plus a weekly segment on Cold Pizza called Couch Potato. I also get to do other things on occasion, like the NFL fantasy draft special last year, and a web gems special a few years back. I have been here at ESPN close to 20 years and I consider myself fortunate. I enjoy what I do.    I also have diversity to work on several projects. I work closely with Dick Vitale on his website, I work on the ESPY awards; NFL and NBA draft ... all sorts of fun things that keep me very busy. 

 Any memorable moments from your game show, “Stump the Schwab”?

There have been a lot of memorable moments. From the start, it has been more fun than pressure for me. The first day we went to rehearse the show, they told me there was a stand-in and I should relax. I said no, I got in the seat and got comfortable with the lights, the environment, and it was OK from that point. The most memorable thing is working with great people, starting with executive producer Tiffany Trigg. Everyone was part of a big team and that made it fun. As for actual show moments, one of my favorites was the championship game in year two, where it went to the wire and the relief I felt when I got the last question right about Red Wings defensemen finishing 1-2 in the Norris Trophy voting. Truthfully, riding off with models on a golf cart one year wasn't bad...actually that was the same show.    

What sport do you follow the most? Why?

College basketball. I went to St. John's in New York and they had some very good teams over the years. Because I work with Dickie V. I am very involved with college hoops.

Who is your all-time favorite athlete and why??

I have always been a fan of Hank Aaron. Classy, effective, great... I also liked John McEnroe because of his fire and passion. I saw him at a United States Tennis Association event for charity and he told me he should have been number one on my list! He was just having fun... great guy.  

I’m going to name some athletes and tell me what comes to mind—

Joe Montana   ... quiet, efficient, winner.  

Wayne Gretzky   ... amazing...some of his records will never be broken. So smooth on the ice. Again, the word greatness comes to mind.

Michael Jordan  ... Clutch, leader, pushed his teammates to be better. Unreal to think he was cut in junior high school and still went on to be the greatest basketball player ever.  

Babe Ruth   ... different era, arguably the first real superstar (though Jim Thorpe may be the best answer to that) ... could eat, drink and hit home runs 

Dale Earnhardt, Sr .   Competitor. Sad ending to his life .  

 Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule, Mr. Schwab, and answering all my questions.

 

 

[Top] [Print this Page]