SWC -- a personal reminiscence ...

[cto]

Aside from Accurator, I probably knew SWC better than most others on this forum. Twenty-five years ago, when I started this place with Temery and Fishy (two UConn fans, long story), it was my job to find some SU fans to help administer and moderate it. This involved contacting people I knew only by their handles and their posts, and inviting them to a dinner at the erstwhile Sheraton Hotel. SWC was among the people I contacted. He graciously declined my invitation, saying he did not think he would be good at it. Among those who accepted my invitation were Bees, Tomcat, Jake and Cheriehoops.

A few years later, when I got the idea of having tailgates prior to football games (before Texas Mark and others significantly upgraded them to what the Fine Mess is today), we held them in the Waverly and Q-l parking lots. Each week, I would urge SWC to attend. Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up in the Q-1 lot with a Hooper puppet.

He stood by himself off to the side. Several of us tried to engage him in conversation and to urge him to join the rest of the group. He politely declined and continued to stand off to the side and to communicate with those who approached him by using the puppet.

In sharp contrast to his persona on call-in radio and on this forum, he was incredibly shy when it came to in-person interactions with others.

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

He clearly had wonderful communication skills, but he chose to use them in his way ... and not in the way many others did. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it "his way."

The early Romans had two Latin words for him: "Sui Generis." It means "one of a kind" or "unique." I think that is a perfect way to describe Steve Chappell, better known to us as SWC. He will be missed more than he would have imagined. May he rest in peace.

 

[AccuRater]

Aside from Accurator, I probably knew SWC better than most others on this forum. Twenty-five years ago, when I started this place with Temery and Fishy (two UConn fans, long story), it was my job to find some SU fans to help administer and moderate it. This involved contacting people I knew only by their handles and their posts, and inviting them to a dinner at the erstwhile Sheraton Hotel. SWC was among the people I contacted. He graciously declined my invitation, saying he did not think he would be good at it. Among those who accepted my invitation were Bees, Tomcat, Jake and Cheriehoops.

A few years later, when I got the idea of having tailgates prior to football games (before Texas Mark and others significantly upgraded them to what the Fine Mess is today), we held them in the Waverly and Q-l parking lots. Each week, I would urge SWC to attend. Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up with a Hooper puppet.

He stood by himself off to the side. Several of us tried to engage him in conversation and to urge him to join the rest of the group. He politely declined and continued to stand off to the side and to communicate with those who approached him by using the puppet.

In sharp contrast to his persona on call-in radio and on this forum, he was incredibly shy when it came to in-person interactions with others.

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

He clearly had wonderful communication skills, but he chose to use them in his way ... and not in the way many others did. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it "his way."

The early Romans had two Latin words for this: Sui Generis. It means "one of a kind" or "unique." I think that is a perfect way to describe Steve Chappell, better known to us as SWC. He will be missed more than he would have imagined. May he rest in peace.

Steve was a remarkable man. Brilliant, kind, considerate and humble. Despite his considerable intellect and talents, he never showed arrogance or condescension. Also, throughout his illness, I never heard a word of self-pity, anger, or depression.

The attached photo shows Steve and my friend, Berta, at Borio's after a round of miniature golf.

 

[SUFaninNJ]

Please send these to Brent Axe so he can include them in his tribute article to Steve. You can reach him at baxe@syracuse.com. Axe is taking submissions up until 10 am today.

 

[FrancoPizza]

Aside from Accurator, I probably knew SWC better than most others on this forum. Twenty-five years ago, when I started this place with Temery and Fishy (two UConn fans, long story), it was my job to find some SU fans to help administer and moderate it. This involved contacting people I knew only by their handles and their posts, and inviting them to a dinner at the erstwhile Sheraton Hotel. SWC was among the people I contacted. He graciously declined my invitation, saying he did not think he would be good at it. Among those who accepted my invitation were Bees, Tomcat, Jake and Cheriehoops.

A few years later, when I got the idea of having tailgates prior to football games (before Texas Mark and others significantly upgraded them to what the Fine Mess is today), we held them in the Waverly and Q-l parking lots. Each week, I would urge SWC to attend. Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up with a Hooper puppet.

He stood by himself off to the side. Several of us tried to engage him in conversation and to urge him to join the rest of the group. He politely declined and continued to stand off to the side and to communicate with those who approached him by using the puppet.

In sharp contrast to his persona on call-in radio and on this forum, he was incredibly shy when it came to in-person interactions with others.

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

He clearly had wonderful communication skills, but he chose to use them in his way ... and not in the way many others did. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it "his way."

The early Romans had two Latin words for this: Sui Generis. It means "one of a kind" or "unique." I think that is a perfect way to describe Steve Chappell, better known to us as SWC. He will be missed more than he would have imagined. May he rest in peace.

Thank you for reaching out to him and not judging him for being shy. Introverts often have a harder time leaving their comfort zone and it can lead to isolation. It’s not a fair world.

 

[Forza Azzurri]

Aside from Accurator, I probably knew SWC better than most others on this forum. Twenty-five years ago, when I started this place with Temery and Fishy (two UConn fans, long story), it was my job to find some SU fans to help administer and moderate it. This involved contacting people I knew only by their handles and their posts, and inviting them to a dinner at the erstwhile Sheraton Hotel. SWC was among the people I contacted. He graciously declined my invitation, saying he did not think he would be good at it. Among those who accepted my invitation were Bees, Tomcat, Jake and Cheriehoops.

A few years later, when I got the idea of having tailgates prior to football games (before Texas Mark and others significantly upgraded them to what the Fine Mess is today), we held them in the Waverly and Q-l parking lots. Each week, I would urge SWC to attend. Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up with a Hooper puppet.

He stood by himself off to the side. Several of us tried to engage him in conversation and to urge him to join the rest of the group. He politely declined and continued to stand off to the side and to communicate with those who approached him by using the puppet.

In sharp contrast to his persona on call-in radio and on this forum, he was incredibly shy when it came to in-person interactions with others.

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

He clearly had wonderful communication skills, but he chose to use them in his way ... and not in the way many others did. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it "his way."

The early Romans had two Latin words for this: Sui Generis. It means "one of a kind" or "unique." I think that is a perfect way to describe Steve Chappell, better known to us as SWC. He will be missed more than he would have imagined. May he rest in peace.

Thanks for sharing.

I have to admit that, when I read Tomcat's post that he had only met SWC once, I was stunned.

Tomcat seems to go to just about everything this board does in-person.

He is a weekly regular at Fine Mess.

He seems to go to most of the away games where TexanMark is hosting a tailgate.

I just assumed the SWC was also a regular at many in-person board events.

The board has two sides - the human side and the internet side.

SWC was firmly woven into the fabric of the internet side of the board while keeping the human side at arm's length.

It was a curiosity to me that someone as well-liked on this board as SWC rarely participated in board events.

Your post was illuminating.

Thank you.

 

[Ragman2000]

I'm really sad about the loss of SWC. So many of our board legends are gone and I miss them. Orangeyes, SWC, CaliCuse...

This community that you created cto has brought me so much joy and belonging for 25+ years, and the friends we've made here are something I will cherish.

 

[Bill Orange]

I'm really sad about the loss of SWC. So many of our board legends are gone and I miss them. Orangeyes, SWC, CaliCuse...

This community that you created cto has brought me so much joy and belonging for 25+ years, and the friends we've made here are something I will cherish.

BocaDoug is on our HOF list as well.

 

[storange]

To state the obvious, this board will not be the same without SWC, His historical research and reporting was 2nd to none ! His weakly recaps of the coaches show were valuable to new and old board members. I remember talking to Tomcat awhile back and he told me of his meeting with Steve. He was a unique individual who we will miss !!!

 

[Millhouse]

Aside from Accurator, I probably knew SWC better than most others on this forum. Twenty-five years ago, when I started this place with Temery and Fishy (two UConn fans, long story), it was my job to find some SU fans to help administer and moderate it. This involved contacting people I knew only by their handles and their posts, and inviting them to a dinner at the erstwhile Sheraton Hotel. SWC was among the people I contacted. He graciously declined my invitation, saying he did not think he would be good at it. Among those who accepted my invitation were Bees, Tomcat, Jake and Cheriehoops.

A few years later, when I got the idea of having tailgates prior to football games (before Texas Mark and others significantly upgraded them to what the Fine Mess is today), we held them in the Waverly and Q-l parking lots. Each week, I would urge SWC to attend. Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up with a Hooper puppet.

He stood by himself off to the side. Several of us tried to engage him in conversation and to urge him to join the rest of the group. He politely declined and continued to stand off to the side and to communicate with those who approached him by using the puppet.

In sharp contrast to his persona on call-in radio and on this forum, he was incredibly shy when it came to in-person interactions with others.

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

He clearly had wonderful communication skills, but he chose to use them in his way ... and not in the way many others did. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it "his way."

The early Romans had two Latin words for this: "Sui Generis." It means "one of a kind" or "unique." I think that is a perfect way to describe Steve Chappell, better known to us as SWC. He will be missed more than he would have imagined. May he rest in peace.

I haven't watched it yet and I am not making a remotely direct comparison here but there is a documentary called the remarkable life of Ibelin about a guy with an immense impact in a virtual community who was much more isolated in real life, for lack of a better term. Everything I've heard about it sounds like it would interesting to you (you are in an unusual position of having the biggest network in real life but yet still pull Internet randos into it to help them out)

I don't remember the puppet but I was probably twenty beers in by that point, I swear we chatted without any puppets. Or maybe I took off a sock and said something horrible and apologized for my obnoxious companion

 

[Eric15]

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

That's an interesting dynamic with SWC's personality. I feel like the average person would be comfortable at a tailgate, but would be nervous about calling into a live radio show. But with him it was the exact opposite. One of many things that made him interesting and special.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but I've read the same thing about Johnny Carson. When he was on TV he was completely in his element, but he was viscerally uncomfortable at cocktail parties, social gatherings, etc.

 

[Millhouse]

That's an interesting dynamic with SWC's personality. I feel like the average person would be comfortable at a tailgate, but would be nervous about calling into a live radio show. But with him it was the exact opposite. One of many things that made him interesting and special.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but I've read the same thing about Johnny Carson. When he was on TV he was completely in his element, but he was viscerally uncomfortable at cocktail parties, social gatherings, etc.

If you're not a little apprehensive about meeting people with nothing better to do than talk Syracuse sports, you should get your head examined. You should still do it but you should be a little terrified of ending up in a well with a puppy

 

[cto]

BocaDoug is on our HOF list as well.

Also, please don't forget Igor (or Bonn, or the many other handles he used over the years). He was the ultimate curmudgeon who annoyed and angered many people with his incessant "tavern-league" posts, but he was a big part of the fabric here. And, believe it or not, he was a really nice guy in person.

 

[FrancoPizza]

That's an interesting dynamic with SWC's personality. I feel like the average person would be comfortable at a tailgate,

we should not assume that. If you are new to a social function many people will feel some degree of social anxiety especially when meeting new faces. I went to the fine mess last fall with 2 of my kids and one of their friends - and everyone was in their cliques (which is expected). It’s not like there’s a welcome station for first timers with name tags. I thought about introducing myself in the ticket line but in the back of my mind I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get especially when people tend to already have “labels” based on their board persona.

But back on point I could see why an introvert would feel out of place there. This is not a criticism - just saying large social gatherings don’t appeal to everyone and first-timers often rely on someone who’s already in the circle to be their wing man. If you don’t know where to start or who to turn to, it can be a scary bridge to cross over at these events. It can definitely be a deterrent to giving it a shot. Not everyone is an extrovert or super confident flying solo.

I personally am open to giving it another shot because I desperately need to connect with other SU fans that share my level of passion. And I’d like for my kids to see that there are other crazies out there besides their old man. But there has to be a welcome tent or a greeter or some plan for first timers. I am not going to walk around yelling my board name expecting good things to happen.

 

[MSOrange]

That's an interesting dynamic with SWC's personality. I feel like the average person would be comfortable at a tailgate, but would be nervous about calling into a live radio show. But with him it was the exact opposite. One of many things that made him interesting and special.

Not to go off on a tangent here, but I've read the same thing about Johnny Carson. When he was on TV he was completely in his element, but he was viscerally uncomfortable at cocktail parties, social gatherings, etc.

SWC made a few posts about his time working for the Social Security office. I never met him, but based on his stories of working there, it sounds like he did well interacting with people when there was work to be done or a task to be completed, but maybe informal social gatherings weren't his comfort zone.

Lemoyne

is playing at Buffalo tonight and they're tied at the half...wow.

syracusefan.com

 

[rrlbees]

Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up in the Q-1 lot with a Hooper puppet.

 

[Eric15]

we should not assume that. If you are new to a social function many people will feel some degree of social anxiety especially when meeting new faces. I went to the fine mess last fall with 2 of my kids and one of their friends - and everyone was in their cliques (which is expected). It’s not like there’s a welcome station for first timers with name tags. I thought about introducing myself in the ticket line but in the back of my mind I wasn’t sure what kind of reception I’d get especially when people tend to already have “labels” based on their board persona.

But back on point I could see why an introvert would feel out of place there. This is not a criticism - just saying large social gatherings don’t appeal to everyone and first-timers often rely on someone who’s already in the circle to be their wing man. If you don’t know where to start or who to turn to, it can be a scary bridge to cross over at these events. It can definitely be a deterrent to giving it a shot. Not everyone is an extrovert or super confident flying solo.

My general point was that the average person would probably be terrified of calling into a local radio show and being live on-air, where SWC did it with ease. It was intended to be a compliment towards him and how he was unique/special.

 

[FrancoPizza]

My general point was that the average person would probably be terrified of calling into a local radio show and being live on-air, where SWC did it with ease. It was intended to be a compliment towards him and how he was unique/special.

Completely understood. we are all unique creatures.

 

[RandygoCuse]

Never met the man, but it was obvious how big a part he was of this community. May his memory be a blessing. I assume someone will post the obit. I'd love to learn more about him.

 

[AgentOrange]

BocaDoug is on our HOF list as well.

While controversial, StudIgor deserves consideration also.

 

[orangefog]

Steve put in some work for us. Most posters just contribute conversational, sometimes argumentative posts off the top of their head. Hell, I post nothing but nonsense. Steve crafted well thought out and researched informative posts. CuseLegacy and OrangeXtreme among others do an incredible job posting everything Orange. But, do we have anyone else that contributes original posts like SWC? I apologize if anyone does, but it's hitting me what a loss he is to our community. At first I was sad that we lost one of our own. Now, it is hitting me what a profound and prolific poster he was. There are multiple books of information within the syracusefan.com archives of Steve's posts. Maybe someday someone will put them together.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Aside from Accurator, I probably knew SWC better than most others on this forum. Twenty-five years ago, when I started this place with Temery and Fishy (two UConn fans, long story), it was my job to find some SU fans to help administer and moderate it. This involved contacting people I knew only by their handles and their posts, and inviting them to a dinner at the erstwhile Sheraton Hotel. SWC was among the people I contacted. He graciously declined my invitation, saying he did not think he would be good at it. Among those who accepted my invitation were Bees, Tomcat, Jake and Cheriehoops.

A few years later, when I got the idea of having tailgates prior to football games (before Texas Mark and others significantly upgraded them to what the Fine Mess is today), we held them in the Waverly and Q-l parking lots. Each week, I would urge SWC to attend. Each week he would decline ... until one week when he showed up in the Q-1 lot with a Hooper puppet.

He stood by himself off to the side. Several of us tried to engage him in conversation and to urge him to join the rest of the group. He politely declined and continued to stand off to the side and to communicate with those who approached him by using the puppet.

In sharp contrast to his persona on call-in radio and on this forum, he was incredibly shy when it came to in-person interactions with others.

I tried a few more times to encourage him to attend tailgates, but he always politely declined, saying he would rather communicate on the radio and on this forum. After a while i gave up.

He clearly had wonderful communication skills, but he chose to use them in his way ... and not in the way many others did. To paraphrase Frank Sinatra, he did it "his way."

The early Romans had two Latin words for this: "Sui Generis." It means "one of a kind" or "unique." I think that is a perfect way to describe Steve Chappell, better known to us as SWC. He will be missed more than he would have imagined. May he rest in peace.

Great post. I was able to meet him also at this same tailgate courtesy of CTO. Thank you CTO. I did approach him and speak to him for a short time about his job at the Social Security office where he had told me he worked, when I asked. I had worked for Onondaga county in my very early 20’s for just a year and a half when the feds took over the SSI program (mostly SS disability) from the state/counties oversight. I was asked to interview to see if I was interested for a federal position there. I did, but declined the position knowing that I was planning to leave and finish the last year of my undergrad degree at Oswego. SWC was aware of that county to fed transition but being old now I can’t recall if he told me that he had also started as a county employee too before heading to SS. He was very shy, cordial and as others said he stood to the side alone by the tailgate.I never noticed a puppet when we spoke and he did laugh at some stupid joke I made about my time at the county and then being a 22 year old married mother commuting senior in college. However I knew he was uncomfortable, I told him it was great meeting him, asked him if he wanted a drink which he declined and I went back to the group but when I looked his way a few minutes later, sadly he was gone. I only have the greatest respect for all the hard work and dedication he provided for the board for decades to give his analytical, historical and even personal perspective to what we were seeing on the court or field. RIP Steve.