By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – To see the name Rob Schabert go into the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame on Tuesday certainly comes to no surprise to anyone who's worked around the league in the past 40 years.
Greeting everyone with a smile, a friendly hello and – sometimes – a joke, the likeable and jovial attitude of the long-time Tennessee Tech sports information director to assistant athletics director for sports information and broadcasting was always inviting. Still, that only scratches the surface.
The term "jack-of-all-trades" is appropriate – over his nearly 35 years of service to the University and to the conference, Schabert did it all: statistics, records, writing, master of ceremonies, broadcaster, photographer and videographer, chauffeur, marketer. However, the list goes on and on.
The number is humbling when you think about this -- the careers of more than 8,000 Golden Eagle student-athletes were chronicled through his efforts, and that's what he did – he told their stories through various methods as time changed.
Starting back in the analog days of typewriters and transitioning the department into the digital era of the Internet and social media, the importance of telling the story never wavered. From the advent of Title IX to the modern era, he was there.
Through the written word to radio, public speaking, photos, graphic design, Schabert became a familiar face to three generations of Tech student-athletes
Even four years after his retirement, Schabert is still a visible face around the Hooper Eblen Center, where the Tech Athletics offices are held. Past student-athletes and administrators come back and tell their stories, showing that even after all these years, Schabert's efforts left an impact.
That's not the only way he has left an impact as his legacy is still felt across the country as his son, Matt, is the media relations director at Morehead State. Some of his previous charges continue his efforts at Tech with Mike Lehman as the sports information director, Dylan Vazzano in broadcasting and Jordan Ratti in video production. Even still, that's just the tip of the iceberg as his former associates continue to work in collegiate athletics nationwide, such as Jocelyn VerVelde (Texas), Holly Weber (Missouri), Jenna Willhoit (Dayton), and Erin Bean, currently serving as the assistant AD for external operations at Saint Leo.
Former assistants Buddy Pearson and Scott Wilson continue to tell Tech's stories as Pearson is the University's News and Communications Director, while Wilson is a sports writer for the Cookeville Herald-Citizen.
The quality of writing and publications expected from the office never dwindled under his watch, winning dozens of national publications and writing awards, including six "Best in the Nation" honors from USA Volleyball for the annual media guide.
The other thing that was a major priority for Schabert was making sure the student-athletes' efforts were recognized, not just athletically, but also for their work in the classroom and in the community. In 1987, he created the Athletic Director's Honor Roll, the first in the OVC. Four years later, he instituted the President's Awards program to recognize the most well-rounded member of each Tech team.
Under his watch, the Man and Woman of the Year and the Outstanding Male and Female Athlete awards were established as well as the annual Golden Wings Awards program in 2015.
He also was vigilant in nominating student-athletes for CoSIDA Academic All-American honors – 33 named Academic All-Americans and more than 100 Academic All-District, more than any other conference school during that span.
From the first day of practices to getting team headshots and photos to the countless miles and hours traveling to the games themselves to the day they walked across the graduation stage to receive their diplomas, Schabert was there.
For his efforts, Schabert was inducted into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
He served as the emcee for 36 TTU Sports Hall of Fame dinners and all four Golden Wings Awards events. In 2004, he was named the University's Outstanding Professional, then, four years later, was inducted into the Hall of Distinction at Minnesota State (Mankato). A long-time member of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), he served on numerous committees, including Ethics, Academic All-America, Writing and Olympic Liaison.
In 2002, Schabert represented the University as he served as a volunteer with the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics as a member of the press operations staff.
Schabert hasn't slowed down any post-retirement as he continues to travel with his wife, Joan, and has also recently released his first novel, "Justifying Grace," and is in the process of wrapping up his second book.
He is only the second full-time sports information director to be inducted into the OVC hall, joining Eastern Kentucky's Karl Park, who was inducted in 2005.
