James Schneider, Sports Officer
A memorial service celebrating the life of James H. Schneider, who worked for more than 30 years with the University of Michigan’s sports information department, retiring as a public and media relations director in 2008 because of ill health, is to be held at the East Hampton Presbyterian Church on Oct. 6 at 1:30 p.m.
Rich Schneider, his younger brother, said the service will be followed by a reception at the Session House. James Schneder died in Ann Arbor on July 22 at the age of 63 as the result of congestive heart failure.
A celebration of his life is also to be held at the University of Michigan tomorrow at the Junge Family Champions Center there from 4 to 6 p.m.
James Schneider was the son of the late Harrison and Margaret Schneider of East Hampton. He graduated from East Hampton High School in 1969 and from Bowling Green State University in Ohio in 1974 with a journalism degree.
He joined the University of Michigan’s athletic media relations office in 1978 after having worked as a sportswriter for Bowling Green’s newspaper, The Daily Sentinel-Tribune.
During his career at Michigan, the younger Mr. Schneider said, “Jim worked closely with the football program’s head coaches Bo Schembechler, Gary Moeller, and Lloyd Carr; was the public address announcer at home games for men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball teams, and served for many years as color analyst for baseball and hockey radio broadcasts. Colleagues remember him for his humor, intelligence, empathy, and his ability to communicate and network.”
Barry Larkin, the ESPN baseball analyst, Cincinnati Reds Hall of Famer, and former Michigan baseball player, said at the time of Mr. Schneider’s death, “Not only was Jim a great man and a fantastic sports information director, but he was also funny, incredibly witty, and kind. He was the best non-staff hitting coach I had during my time at Michigan. I will miss his humor, his stories, and his hitting tips. Rest peacefully, my friend.”
Mr. Carr said, “We’ve lost one of the great people in Michigan athletic history.”
Jim Abbott, a Michigan baseball alumnus who pitched 10 years in the major leagues, said, “Michigan’s baseball family claims ‘Schneids’ as one of our own even though he wore many hats. . . . He quietly served as a mentor and friend to so many of us; his vast knowledge of the program, its players, and coaches is irreplaceable. So long, and thank you, Schneids. Your voice will long be remembered echoing through the rafters of that great stadium.”
Besides his younger brother, Mr. Schneider’s survivors include another brother, Harrison, of Batavia, Ill., a sister, Margaret, of The Woodlands, Tex., five nephews, two nieces, and numerous grand-nephews and grand-nieces.
The family has established the Schneids Go Blue Fund at the university earmarked for athletic scholarships. A memorial fund in his name has also been established at the East Hampton Presbyterian Church, 120 Main Street, East Hampton 11937.