The Ultimate Fan - and Family Man

  EUGENE, Oregon --  It's late in a day like few he's experienced in his 80 years. While visiting with a group of family and friends, a battered Mike Schwartz continued his celebration of the epic 32-31 victory by his beloved Oregon Ducks over Ohio State on a beautiful fall evening in Eugene. 

  Early in the game, Mike had been standing on the Ducks’ sideline, where he has been a fixture for 47 years, when Derrick Harmon, all 6 feet 5 inches, 310 pounds of him, inadvertently knocked him down as Harmon ran off the field after securing a fumble recovery.   Amazingly, other than a few facial lacerations and a bloodied nose, Mike was OK and stayed put.

  A lifelong Ducks’ booster, Mike started his day at 4 a.m. waiting for ESPN’s Game Day crew – and several thousand Ducks fans - to arrive for their hugely popular pre-game show. Mike spotted an oddly out-of-place lounge chair and plopped down for a quick nap, a legendary habit.

 He was awakened by a familiar-sounding voice.

  “Hey, are you OK?”

  Mike looked up and was shocked to meet former Alabama coach and Game Day analyst Nick Saban. He quickly recovered and delivered a classic Mike Schwartz line.

   “I’m fine, coach. Put me in the game."

  Mike, a successful Eugene businessman who has not yet considered retirement, had meetings later that morning. But he was back at the stadium for pre-kickoff festivities. Mike’s special place alongside the players and coaches stems from his close relationship with former Ducks coach Rich Brooks, whose popularity is such that the field is named for him.

  As the back-and-forth contest between the No. 2 Buckeyes and No. 3 Ducks was winding down to its final nail-biting moments, Mike was joined by Nike founder and chairman emeritus Phil Knight, the university’s No. 1 booster.

  Mike turned to Knight and said, “Great game, isn’t it, Phil?”

  Responded Knight: “I just want to win the damn game.”

  After the Ducks' victory, Mike returned to his suburban Eugene home, where he and his wife Shelia have lived since they were married 57 years ago. As usual, the house was filled with family and friends, all passionate Duck fans who also attended the game. Two of the Schwartz’s three daughters were present and four of their eight grandchildren.

  Mike and Shelia are famous among their friends for their open-door policy. Translation: Stop by anytime, day or night. Invitation not required. Food and drink are guaranteed to be provided by Shelia, a gracious and energetic host.

  Given the significance of the Ducks' win, the mood at the Schwartz home was particularly festive. Everyone, it seemed, had a favorite play they wanted to recap. Or an opinion on an official's call that did not go the Ducks' way.

  And, of course, when they saw Mike and his bandaged nose for the first time, they said: "What in the world happened to you?"

  Mike, wearing his wound like a badge of honor, was more than happy to oblige. He's an excellent storyteller.

  Finally, around 11 p.m., the guests began leaving. And Mike had time to reflect on his day.

  Asked how he rated the Ducks’ victory before the largest crowd in Autzen Stadium history.

  “It was one of the big ones,” he said, somehow still alert despite the time and his swollen nose. “But, honestly, what matters most is what you see right here. My children and grandchildren. And all the pictures around this home and all the memories.”

  With that, Mike Schwartz’s 19-hour day was over.

  “I’m done,” he said.

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Reported and written by: George J. Tanber