COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Steve Schanwald, Executive Vice President of Business Operations for the Chicago Bulls and University of Maryland alum, spoke to members of the Terrapin athletic department Friday morning.
A native of Long Island, Schanwald attended the University of Maryland in the mid-70s and as a student worked for Russ Potts in the first-ever sports marketing office in the history of intercollegiate athletics. Schanwald then worked at Air Force where he had the great fortune of working alongside then-head football coach Bill Parcells and assistant men's basketball coach Gregg Popovich – the current head coach of the San Antonio Spurs. Schanwald then made the jump to the professional realm, first in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. He has been with the Chicago Bulls for 28 years.
Schanwald discussed various marketing strategies with the nearly 40 in attendance, which included members of the marketing, ticketing, media relations and Maryland Sports Properties departments. Schanwald leads a group which is responsible for generating $120 million annually.
“What I love most about my job is three-fold,” Schanwald said. “I love being a part of something that is a focal point for the community, being part of a team that is consistently working towards a common goal – which for us is world championships – and being able help people climb the ladder. It's extremely rewarding to see someone at the top of the mountain and know you played some small role in that.”
Schwanwald also shared his excitement as his beloved Maryland Terrapins will be in the Chicago area more frequently as members of the Big Ten Conference.
“Every time I come to D.C. for a game I try to take time to walk around campus and relive the old memories,” Schwanwald said. “When I left Maryland after I graduated in 1977, I kind of lost touch with Maryland but now that Maryland is in the Big Ten and I'm in the heart of Big Ten country, it's reinvigorated my love and my passion for Maryland Athletics.
“It's the place that gave me my start. If it wasn't for Maryland, I would not have the career I've had. It's been great to reconnect with Maryland now that Maryland has joined the Big Ten which I think is a great move forward for the University's athletic program.”
