FAU honors Schnellenberger with endowed scholarship fund
BOCA RATON — Florida Atlantic University recently announced the
establishment of an endowed scholarship fund in honor of legendary
Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s retirement from football during a
post-game reception at FAU’s final football game of the 2011 season.
The fund will provide one scholarship each year to a student-athlete
that demonstrates determination and commitment to the FAU football
program.
“Coach Howard Schnellenberger’s legacy as FAU’s first football
coach will no doubt leave a permanent mark on FAU and its football
program,” said FAU President Mary Jane Saunders. “To honor his
vision, leadership and 13 years of service, I am pleased to announce
the creation of the Howard Schnellenberger Endowed Scholarship
Fund.”
Schnellenberger announced his retirement as coach in August, but
will now remain on staff at FAU as the University’s first ambassador
for development and athletics. In this position, Schnellenberger will
campaign to generate support for FAU athletics and its new stadium.
“I am so delighted to have had the opportunity to be FAU’s coach.
It’s been a true joy. For all of our football players, coaches, and those
connected with the university, I thank you for your participation and
for your good wishes,” said Schnellenberger. “I look forward to the
next chapter of my career as an ambassador for this great university,
and I am proud that a scholarship named in my honor will help future
generations of student-athletes.”
The recent post-game reception took place on the Delray Hyundai
Priority Club level of FAU Stadium at the Boca Raton campus. More
than 300 guests attended the event, including Schnellenberger’s
family members, closest friends, former football players, as well
as FAU Football Founders, stadium donors, and members of
FAU’s Board of Trustees, Foundation Board and National Alumni
Association Board.
Schnellenberger’s career has been highly chronicled throughout the
years, from winning the Super Bowl as offensive coordinator for the
Miami Dolphins during their perfect season in1972, to winning the
first national championship as head coach at the University of Miami
in 1983, to leading the struggling University of Louisville to a top-20
national ranking.
As the founder and first head coach of FAU’s football team,
Schnellenberger helped guide the team to its first Sun Belt
Conference title in 2007, the same year the team became to
youngest team to advance to and win a bowl championship; as well
as led the team to its second bowl game in 2008, where FAU became
the only team in the state of Florida to win back-to-back bowl games
that year.
