Opinion: Column
Darryl Schnell: 1983-2009
Looking for a print version?
Simply use your browser’s ‘Print’ command and a printer-friendly document will be generated automatically.
Also by Tom Schalmo:
- Clegg loses cool in tray battle (April 30, 2009)
- Darryl Schnell: 1983-2009 (April 13, 2009)
- End judicial elections (April 6, 2009)
- ASM's outreach a painful failure (February 26, 2009)
Sharing tools:
E-mail this article:
Tragedy always brings people together. It sometimes takes a tragic event for us to pick up the phone and call that long-lost friend who we simply lost contact with. It sometimes takes a tragic event to rekindle a friendship we thought would last a lifetime. It is through tragedy that we unite.
Last week, my Badger Herald colleagues past and present were brought together by the passing of Darryl Schnell. Darryl worked at the Herald from 2005-07 while he was an undergraduate here at the University of Wisconsin. He worked in our News Department, first as a reporter, then as city editor, digest editor and features editor. Darryl was most recently working for ESPN as a production assistant in Bristol, Conn. — his passing was noted last week on “SportsCenter.”
On a professional level, Darryl was a great reporter. I perused through some of his work last week, pieces I hadn’t read in years. He covered city issues for a while before writing some terrific features.
But as good a journalist as Darryl was, the biggest impact he had was in our newsroom. As a young freshman, I began my job at the Herald scared out of my mind over what to expect. But I’ll never forget the immediate impact Darryl had on me — he was one of those people who was first to introduce himself and welcome me, and we quickly became friends. We both hailed from Brookfield, albeit rivaling high schools. We had some mutual friends, all of whom spoke so very highly of Darryl. I quickly understood why.
I can honestly say Darryl was one of the nicest people I have ever known. He was genuinely friendly to everyone he met, having a positive effect on his sources and his colleagues alike. We both worked late nights my first semester — I remember him waiting around for long SSFC meetings to finish so he could edit stories about them. He was easy to talk to, easy to get along with and had the patience to get through the long, stressful days at the Herald. That’s a lesson I learned from him and have always tried to practice myself.
When I started working in the Herald News Department during the fall of 2006, Darryl was working as features editor. I was an associate news editor, one of the hardest and busiest positions at the Herald. Darryl had gone through it a year before, so he was always there to either offer advice or simply talk to after a long day of work. He deserves credit for our old Thursday night news team parties — we had a lot of fun back then after long, long weeks at work. And Darryl was always the first one to get something together. Being able to relax and simply hang out with each other was something we associate news editors relied on to get through the week, and Darryl was always there for us.
Darryl absolutely loved the Herald, making the most out of the Herald experience. He would have done anything for the paper. He always wrote “inspirational” e-mails before our Herald-Cardinal softball and football games. While we never really won those — nor do we still — he always looked forward to them and threw so much passion into them, pumping us up and rallying the troops. He was extremely proud to be associated with the Herald and, more importantly, loved the people he worked with.
At just 25 years of age, Darryl left us far too early. But it seems fitting to me that Darryl brought our extended Herald family together upon his death — because that’s exactly what he did while he was here in Madison.
17 Comments | Leave a comment
Leave a comment
Herald Blogs
The Beat Goes On
Brother Ali makes an ‘Exclusive’ stop
Muckrakers
Report: Barrett to make decision by the end of the week
Extra Points
Top Classified Ads (view all)
HOUSES FOR Fall 2010. All houses are on W Dayton or N Bassett. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 bedrooms. All have parking. madisoncampusrentals.com
521 W Dayton 4BR/2BA. Marble showers, dishwasher, completely updated! madisoncampusrentals.com
1, 2, or 3 bedroom apartment available for spring 2010. meltzer@wisc.edu if you are interested!
What happened to such a wonderful young man at such a young age?
http://espn.go.com/video/clip?id=4058753
Well said, Tom. I’d just like to echo everything above. Darryl and I started working together as associate news editors at the Herald in 2005 and he was always an absolute pleasure to be around; he was one of those people who made the long hours and the stress of the job so worth it. As you said Tom, he was one of the kindest, friendliest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and he was also absolutely hilarious. I’ll never forget that contagious, boisterous laugh that filled the office so often.
My most sincere and heartfelt condolences to Darryl’s family. I am so sorry for your loss. He will be missed by many.
Mike Gendall Editor in Chief, 2007-2008
How did this happen? So sad. Such a wonderful, fun-loving guy.
Hey darryl was my assistant coach here at brook.central..does anyone how this happened?
Darryl was my coach too, and I am saddened to hear this news. How did this happen? Is there any funeral and wake information yet?
Very nicely done, Tom. Here, here on that laugh, Gendall. I remember hearing it through the conference room walls!
Darryl, from one former city editor to another - you made me laugh at the most inappropriate and VERY appropriate times. Thanks for helping take off the stress and make every day with the News Crew a good day to be at work! You will always be a part of my memories at the grand ol’ BH. Especially your flip flops.
Megan Costello News Editor, Spring ‘06
While I think it very nice that many are concerned about his passing, I think personal details about his death are best something not shared on a discussion board out of respect for family and friends.
I think we all keep him and his family in our prayers and memories.
I remember seeing Darryl my first day of work at the Herald. He looked kind of intense and intimidating with huge spiky hair … but he was one of the most casual and easy going people in the newsroom. I loved his infectious laugh!
I was lucky to have two classes with Darryl during my last year at Madison. He loved listening to ESPN radio before class and joking about the day’s headlines. We didn’t socialize outside of work or school, but I always considered him a friend, and the world will miss him.
My condolences to family, friends and coworkers.
Keegan Kyle Herald staffer 06-07
Nice work Tom.
I’d like to second everything that’s been said here. Darryl certainly reflected the spirit of the Herald and those who worked with him were witness to his infectious energy (which may have come from that lotion-infused hair, who knows). He definitely had that effect on me, helping make light of often tiring nights at the Herald. I’m going to miss that grin a lot.
The Herald was lucky to have had him and I’m glad that I was lucky enough to have known him.
My thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
Sundeep Malladi Heralder ‘04-‘07
Forgot to mention: Cheers, dear Osmundson.
Does anyone know how Darryl died? This all sounds like it happened really suddenly, but no one seems to know anything.
Thank you for that heartfelt tribute to Darryl, Tom. You captured the warmth and kindness that made Darryl so special to so many of us.
Simply put, Darryl cared. He truly, genuinely cared for all of his friends (and if you spoke to him for more than two seconds it was impossible not to become one). I will always cherish the late-night laughs we shared, as well as his supporting words and sympathetic ear in times of need.
You were unforgettable, Darryl. And you will be missed by everyone who was lucky enough to call you a friend.
R.I.P.
Andriy Pazuniak Badger Herald, ‘06-‘07
what a great young man…great sportsman, hard worker, great academic and a lover of life, with a desire to win-the right way! i was always proud of his accomplishments and his personality…he was a great neighbor! i watched him grow and play basketball at Brookfield Central. i will remember DS
Well said, Tom. I was hoping you guys would do something. Darryl was a good guy and always a pleasure to work with. I, too, remember his laugh that echoed through the paper-thin Herald walls. It’s a shame that he left the Herald fam so soon.
My thoughts are with his family.
Cristina Daglas Herald EIC, 04-05
Darryl was a great guy. He and I (along with his brother and sister and my brother) grew up together in Milwaukee but unfortunately lost touch over the years. I always regretted that we didn’t reunite in Madison, especially since we had mutual friends at the Herald, but I’m glad and not surprised to hear that he’s had such an impact on so many others. My deepest sympathies go out to the Schnells and all of Darryl’s friends.
Josh Hoppert
Darryl was always a great guy to mess around with and relax with after long nights at work. I worked with him for only a few semesters, but it was not hard to understand why he connected and left an impression on so many people. Great column Tom, you hit it on the head.