Schonz calls it a career: ‘Good night, everybody!’

The Schonz implores the crowd to join him in “Rip City, All Right!” one final time (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers)

As would be expected, Bill Schonely did not have the most restful sleep on Sunday night.

“I had a tough time getting to sleep,” the long-time Trail Blazers announcer says. “It’s how I sometimes felt after calling a big game … just so many things rolling around in my mind.”

Sunday was “Fan Appreciation Night” at Moda Center, with the Blazers putting a cap on a forgettable season with a 111-80 loss to Utah.

More than that, though, it was a night for the team and its fans to give a final unforgettable send-off to Schonely, who has announced his retirement as ambassador and broadcaster emeritus for the Blazers.

Schonely — who turns 93 on June 1 — woke up about 8:30 a.m. Monday with a barrel full of thoughts still in his head.

“I was trying to remember all the people who were there,” says the man who was the voice of the Blazers for 28 years and has become the face of the franchise in the years since then.

And maybe it was then that it hit him. His professional association with an organization since 1970 was over.

“My entire career … all of a sudden, all those years, I’m done,” he says. He pauses. “It went by so fast.

“But what a way to go out. It was just an amazing night. Really, it was overwhelming. And it was so nice to have Dottie with me.”

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At 4 p.m. on Sunday, a limousine ordered by the Blazers arrives to pick up Schonely and his wife of 30 years, Dottie, to take them to Moda Center for all the festivities. Soon after they enter the arena, they notice ushers preparing to distribute game programs with Bill’s photo on the cover. Also, placards with Bill’s mug for each of the 18,123 fans to wave during the game.

At 5 p.m., “The Schonz” meets with members of the media — fittingly, in the Harry Glickman Media Room — for a group interview.

“Never thought I’d be sitting here in front of you like this,” Schonely tells the group of reporters. “I’ve always been there, sitting with you.

“I’ve been with the organization since the baby was born, so to speak. I never dreamed that I would last this long.”

Even in retirement, Schonely says he will remain connected to the Blazers.

“I’ll keep on doing what I can for this organization, which has been very good to me over all these years,” he says.

Fans still recognize him, he says, wherever he goes.

“They say, ‘Hey Schonz! Do you remember this? Do you remember that?” Schonely says. “And I say, ‘No, I forget.”

Those in the room laugh. One asks how he feels about the upcoming halftime ceremony in his honor.

“It’s going to be a very special night,” he says. “I’ll probably cry at some point.”

After interviews with Brooke Olzendam (television) and Travis Demers (radio), Schonely heads to Suite 56, where the Blazers are hosting a pregame party featuring friends, family and former Blazer players and executives. As he moves along on his way through the arena, “The Schonz” is greeted by fan after fan who wants to say hello, wish him well, take a photograph. The Mayor of Rip City is in the building!

From left, ex-Oregon State and NBA guard Mark Radford and ex-Blazers Greg Smith, Geoff Petrie, Lloyd Neal, Bob Gross and Michael Harper flank Bill Schonely (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers).

The former Marine had one request when making arrangements with the Blazers: The opportunity to conduct the brass section of the Oregon Symphony in its playing of the national anthem. Schonely has done it before and takes it quite seriously. He shows even at his advanced age, he hasn’t lost his rhythm.

Ever a music lover, Schonely conducts the brass section of the Oregon Symphony in its playing of the national anthem (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers)

Schonely returns to the suite to watch the first half, visit with denizens and prepare for an emotional halftime ceremony.

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With dignitaries seated on one side and a large group of ex-Blazers on the other, Dottie and Bill Schonely come onto the floor to a loud, long standing ovation. Bill waves to the crowd, and it gets even louder.

Senator Ron Wyden — calling Schonely “the most popular person in Oregon” — declares it “Rip City Day” in the state. Secretary of State Shemia Fagan presents Schonely with a plaque.

Blazer Jusuf Nurkic carries a large bouquet of roses to Dottie. Damian Lillard brings over another plague for “The Schonz.” He gives the “Dame Time” signal and smiles.

Schonely indicates it’s “Dame Time” to Damian Lillard as the Blazer star presents him with a plaque during the halftime ceremony (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers)

Schonely, dapper in coat and tie and sporting a championship ring on his right hand, addresses the fans after another long ovation.

“This is something I never expected in my lifetime, to be standing in front of you,” he says, his voice choking at one point. “I have done many events such as this, but always for somebody else. To have it happen to me — thank you.”

Though it’s not announced during the ceremony, the Blazers are making a $5,000 donation in Schonely’s name to Providence Child Center, one of his favorite charities.

Schonely recognizes Harry Glickman, the Blazers’ patriarch and the man who hired “The Schonz” to handle play-by-play duties in 1970. He thanks some of the people who worked behind the scenes to make his broadcasts go smoothly — men like Dave Bell, Rich Patterson and Jeff Curtin.

Harry Glickman’s widow, Joanne, congratulates Bill on his retirement (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers)

He calls the occasion a “touching situation.”

Then he stops, realizing a faux pas.

“I forgot someone,” he says. “My wife, Dottie.”

Dottie gets a nice hand.

Bill offers one of his familiar catch phrases: “You’ve got to make your free throws.”

He waxes nostalgic.

“The old codger ends his association with the Trail Blazers tonight,” he says. “I’m sure gonna miss it.”

Schonz has a final request of his adoring fans.

“Everybody in the building, please stand,” he says. “One more time, on the count of three, Rip City, all right!”

The crowd follows along, creating the biggest noise in the arena all night.

It’s a nice, well-organized ceremony with one important exception: The fans want to know who the players are, but they are never introduced. These are the ones I noticed, and I apologize if I’ve missed somebody:

Geoff Petrie, Greg Smith, Terry Dischinger, Michael Holton, Michael Harper, Darnell Valentine and three members of the 1977 championship team — Bob Gross, Larry Steele and Lloyd Neal. Plus, former executive/coach Bucky Buckwalter.

A cavalcade of former Blazer players and executives turned out for the event. From left in the front row, Geoff Petrie, Darnell Valentine, Michael Holton, Michael Harper and Larry Steele. From left in back row, Bucky Buckwalter, Bob Gross and Terry Dischinger (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers)

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Schonely said last week that it would be nice of the Blazers could send him out on a winning note. Instead, they make NBA history. The opponent starts the game 0 for 17 from 3-point range and still wins by 31 points. That’s never happened in the league’s 75 years. Has it?

There is a nice post-game reception in the Rose Room, with food, cake, adult beverage and plenty of kibitzing. Most of the former Blazers are there to add to the scene.

“Can’t believe I’m here,” a bartender in the Rose Room says. “I’m a huge sports fan. I’m honored beyond belief to be tending bar at Bill Schonely’s retirement party.”

 Petrie takes the microphone to say a few words about Schonely, with whom he holds a special relationship. The very first draft choice of the Blazers in 1970, a two-time All-Star guard during his six seasons in Portland, he later served five years as analyst alongside Schonely. What’s more, he was Bill’s best man when he was wed to Dottie in 1992.

Geoff Petrie addresses a group attending an after-party in the Rose Room at Moda Center (courtesy Bruce Ely/Trail Blazers)

“I went on to make a few shots, and Bill went on to be a legend,” says Petrie in self-deprecating fashion.

“Some of my best years in the NBA were when I was working with him. I’ve never had more fun working with somebody.”

Petrie takes note of Schonely’s well-toned singing voice: “If he had gone on to music, he’d have been right there with Frank Sinatra.”

As the party begins to break up, Blazers general manager Joe Cronin comes over for a few words, joined by his right-hand man, Andrae Patterson. In a few minutes, it is coach Chauncey Billups’ turn. He stays for awhile, paying his respect to Mr. and Mrs. Schonely.

“I put the onus on Joe,” Schonely confides as he prepares to leave. “I told him, ‘You better do something good this summer.’ ”

Then he laughs.

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On Monday morning, Bill awakens before Dottie. Bill makes coffee and then prepares breakfast for his bride.

“And I took out the trash, too,” he says. “That’s one of my ‘Dottie do’s.’ ”

He still marvels at the fans’ response to his “Rip City” request.

“That might have been the highlight of the night,” he says. “It was awesome.”

That and the presence of nephew Chris Schonely, the son of Bill’s brother, Jim, who passed away in 2014.

“My dad idolized Uncle Bill,” Chris says. “I feel like I have a special relationship (with the Schonz). I wouldn’t have missed this.”

Schonz says he hasn’t thought an awful lot about the future.

“I’ll be involved in some things,” he says. “We have time to figure things out.”

He leaves knowing his imprint on the franchise has been so immense, it’s immeasurable.

“I worked my butt off for the franchise,” he says quietly, “and it seemed to work out.”

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