BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Celebration of Life event for legendary and longtime former Florida Atlantic Owls football Coach Howard Schnellenberger, held at FAU Stadium, showed how his impact on people went beyond just the game.
The special event for Coach Schnellenberger, who passed away in March at the age of 87, was able to bring together not only FAU alumni, but also alumni of other teams he has coached such as Louisville and the University of Miami, and NFL hall of famers such as Mercury Morris, who played for Schnellenberger when he was an assistant for the Miami Dolphins.
A stage was set up in front of the 50-yard line, which now displays the words “Howard Schnellenberger Field” beneath the Owls logo, with chairs for the 20+ that were set to speak.
In front of the podium that was on stage, there was a display of nine jerseys, each of a team that Schnellenberger had been a part of, with his name on the back of each and the number representing a year of his significance with that team.
The format called for each speaker to make a three-minute address, though most did not feel like the time was enough to express their appreciation for Schnellenberger and went above and beyond to honor him.
The appreciation for Schnellenberger felt by the speakers and those in attendance as audience members was so strong that it withstood a rain storm that forced the event to be moved from the football field to indoors after the first three speakers.
It was clear that Schnellenberger’s impact on FAU as the first head coach and director of football operations of the Florida Atlantic Owls football team in their inaugural season in 2001 was not to be forgotten.
“Around here, he will always be remembered as the father of football,” FAU President John Kelly said in the first speech of the event.
Current FAU Vice President and Director of Athletics Brian White showed similar respect in his speech.
“Everyone connected to this program owes a debt of gratitude to Howard Schnellenberger,” White said.
While most of the speakers were associated with Schnellenberger through football, many of them devoted much of their time to honoring the lessons and values he instilled in them.
“He taught us to never quit. Never give up,” said former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Bernie Kosar.
FAU quarterback and team MVP in their inaugural season, Jared Allen, stressed the positive culture that Schnellenberger created in the locker room.
“Being a member of a Schnellenberger team, you wear a badge of honor,” Allen said. “He created a family-like atmosphere.”
Pro Football Hall of Famer and former Dolphin Dwight Stephenson, when talking about Schnellenberger and coach Don Shula, said that “they teach you things about life that you carry with you every day.”
Former assistant coach Fred O’Connor spoke lovingly of Schnellenberger as being supportive during O’Connor’s cancer battle, giving him a call every other day during treatment.
Boca Raton mayor Scott Singer honored Schnellenberger as a teacher, ambassador, and friend to the community. He declared the date of the ceremony, Sept. 10, to be Howard Schnellenberger Celebration Day.
Much appreciation was given to Howard’s wife of 62 years, Beverlee, who was given a standing ovation upon her arrival to her seat and thanked many times in different speeches.
“Thank you, Beverlee, for sharing Coach with us. As a player, anytime my family was around, you made us feel welcome,” Allen said.
Kosar called Beverlee his “football mother.”
Beverlee, the final speaker of the night, showed appreciation for those in audience and the 20+ speakers who shared their memories about Coach Schnellenberger.
“My heart is so happy that you all shared your love for Howard, especially the players, the coaches, and all of you that have done so well in your lives,” Beverlee said.
Each speech proved how much Coach Schnellenberger deserved this Celebration of Life. It served as a fitting closing chapter to a man who not only led teams to championships and built the FAU football program from scratch, but also made personal impacts on his players and fellow coaches that have helped them through their lives.
