Beverlee Schnellenberger, wife of legendary football coach, sees late husband's dream coming to fruition

BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — Inside this Boynton Beach home, a deep symbolic connection to Florida Atlantic University is proudly on display.

"When we came to FAU, no one ever heard of FAU," Beverlee Schnellenberger said.

Schnellenberger held the hand of legendary football coach Howard Schnellenberger for 64 years on a journey through college and pro football. It took them through Miami, north on Interstate 95 to FAU.

Alex Brandon/AP

"Howard had a vision, every time he went to a school, he had a vision not just for football but for all sports," his widow said.

The late Howard Schnellenberger, who died in March 2021 at the age of 87, founded FAU football in 2001 and carried it for 11 seasons. His legendary status across the Boca Raton campus and so many others in the sports world can be felt by the indelible mark he made.

Wilfredo Lee/AP

"Howard always said the road to the national championship, the only variable is time, and the time is now for FAU," Beverlee Schnellenberger said. "It's in the lockbox of my heart that a national championship could happen here."

RELATED: 5 defining moments in Howard Schnellenberger's South Florida coaching career

The glory of the highest stage in basketball awaits this program, which is playing in its first Final Four in school history.

It is a summit very familiar for Beverlee Schnellenberger, who will be cheering from the comfort of her home, surrounded by the memories of championships and the love of a man who touched so many from Florida Atlantic and beyond.

His powerful motto echoes even louder this week.

"I had a vision, I had a dream and here we are now," Beverlee Schnellenberger said.

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