Howie Schwab dead at 63: Dick Vitale announces passing of the star of hit trivia show ‘Stump the Schwab’ and longtime ESPN personality after ‘various health issues’

Howie Schwab, a longtime ESPN personality, has died of “various health issues,” according to friend Dick Vitale.

He was 63 years old.

Schwab rose to fame as the network behind his popular trivia show “Stump the Schwab,” in which three contestants attempted to improve his encyclopedic knowledge of sports.

The show ran for 80 episodes from 2004 to 2006.

“OMG-just [received] word that my buddy of decades who helped me so much in my career @howieschwab passed this morning,” Vitale, the legendary college basketball broadcaster wrote on X. ‘I just received the news from his loving wife Suzie. May he RIP!

Schwab will be featured on the Season 2 Championship of ‘Stump the Schwab’ on ESPN2

He added in another message that Schwab had recently visited his home and that he “felt good” while he was there.

Schwab wasn’t active on social media until Wednesday, as was he tweeted about the Heat-Sixers play-in game.

And Bill Krackomberger, a professional sports gambler and sports betting host, said Saturday morning that he had received a text message from Schwab just five hours earlier.

“This was the most kind, compassionate and giving man I knew,” he said. “I was planning to spend time at his house in June. God bless my friend.

Longtime ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman also broke the news that Schwab had died.

Schwab developed a fan base for his success on ‘Stump the Schwab’ – where he rarely lost

‘Good morning everyone. It is with immense sadness that I must pass on the news that Howie Schwab has passed away,” he said wrote on X. “He was a beloved friend and recently a big part of our @DrivingTheLinefamily.

“We were absolutely gutted this morning when we spoke on Thursday and in true Howie fashion when he was rushed to hospital he was worried about all of you and you weren’t getting the plays from him. This man loved sports and my goodness, he was a good man. #RIP to our friend Howie Schwab.”

ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla, too added“It is so sad to hear this morning of the passing of Howie Schwab. I spoke to him twice in the past week and knew he was struggling physically. As kind as a soul you will ever meet. And an ESPN Hall of Famer. RIP “Stomp the Schwab.”

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