Schonely’s April 10 send-off promises to be an emotional scene

Bill Schonely doesn’t know what Trail Blazer officials have in mind with the retirement ceremony that will take place at halftime of their regular-season finale April 10 against the Utah Jazz.

“They won’t tell me what’s going to go on, which is fine,” says Schonely, who officially retires June 30 as the sole remaining member of the original cast of employees from the inaugural 1970-71 season. “I’m honored they’re going to do something for me, whatever it is. I’m looking forward to the 10th, believe me.

“I never thought this time in my life would arrive, but I did.”

For 28 years — from 1970-98 — Schonely was the voice (mostly on radio) of the Blazers. For the past 20-plus years, he has been the club’s broadcaster emeritus — handling various voiceovers, commercial narrations and other assignments — in addition to being the franchise’s No. 1 ambassador. To the legions of Blazer fans who adore him, “The Schonz” is an institution.

In the three weeks since he announced his retirement via kerryeggers.com, he has received plenty of attention from friends and admirers.

“I’ve had phone calls from everywhere,” says Schonely, who turns 93 on June 1. “I’ve heard from people I hadn’t heard from in years. Broadcasters around the league, like (Phoenix veteran) Al McCoy. And people I don’t know. How they get my phone number, I don’t know. And people I run into at a restaurant or the grocery store. They come up and say, ‘You can’t retire! We want you to stick around.’ It’s all been terrific.”

Schonely is anticipating a memorable send-off on April 10. He senses it will be an emotional scene.

“I don’t know how I’ll be able to handle it,” he admits. “I hope to see some people and players I haven’t seen for years, if they’re able to get there.

“It’s the final game of the season. The Utah Jazz will be in town. They’re a good ballclub. I’m looking forward to a good game. I hope the Moda Center is packed. It would be nice to go out with a victory.”

Quite often through the years, Schonely has sung the national anthem, “God Bless America” or “America the Beautiful” prior to games. He won’t be performing on April 10, but he has made a request of the Blazers for whom he’d like to fill the bill.

“The brass section of the Oregon Symphony,” he says. “If they can work it into their schedule, I will conduct them (through the national anthem). If not, I’ve asked if Storm Large could sing it. I don’t like it when (the performer) fools around with the song. Storm belts it out straight and powerful. And the symphony folks, they knock it out of the gym.”

Schonely has attended some of the Blazers’ home games this season, but he hasn’t been the regular presence he has been in the past. An ailing hip and spine have made it difficult to maneuver. He walks with a cane, though he is optimistic that will be shed with time.

“It’s a long process,” he says, “but I’m pleased with the doctors and the folks who have tended to my care. They’ve done a wonderful job. So is everybody else who is trying to keep me alive.”

He laughs, then continues.

“I’ve had a number of procedures (on the hip) done, the last one a couple of weeks ago,” he says. “I have my good days and my bad days. But I’m hopeful that everything is moving in the right direction and I’ll be able to get over that.”

Three weeks ago, Schonely told me a move to his hometown of Norristown, Pa., was a near certainty. Now, Bill and wife Dottie are reconsidering.

“We’ve had second thoughts about that,” he says. “There are some reasons to go (to Pennsylvania), but a lot of reasons to stay in Portland, too. No final decision has been made. We have time to take care of that.”

“The Schonz” went to Wednesday night’s game at Moda Center, if for nothing else than to say hello to former Blazer guard CJ McCollum, now with the visiting New Orleans Pelicans.

“I’m looking forward to still going to games when I can in the future,” Schonely says wistfully. “The day-to-day things, though, are over.”

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