Stories

Some of the most unlikely victories can flow when one is blessed by a lifetime of great relationships, hard work, and strong roots.

That was the message at a special book-signing event at Santa Clara University Thursday morning, June 23, featuring former Oakland A’s owner,  SCS Development founder and Santa Clara alumnus and longtime benefactor Stephen Schott ’60, Hon. ’13. His new book, Long Schott, is described on Amazon.com (where it is a top-selling sports biography) as a “story about unlikely victories, from that feisty A's squad that rallied for a historic 20-game win streak to the booming California real estate market and beyond.”

“It became one adventure after another,” said Schott of his life in both sports and real estate. “Fortunately I’m very lucky to have a lot of support, with a great family, great wife … good employees and great friends,” he added.  Schott signed books for classmates, friends, and admirers who attended the event, held at the 50,000-square-foot athletic excellence center that bears his name—the Stephen C. and Patricia A. Schott Athletic Excellence Center.  

Schott has a long history of support for Santa Clara, dating to when he was a pitcher for the Broncos’ baseball team as a student, for which he was later inducted into both the Santa Clara University Athletics Hall of Fame and the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame. He has served on the University’s Board of Trustees since 1988 and with his wife, Patricia A. Schott Hon. ’13, has served on the SCU Campaign Cabinet, which advises the University on its comprehensive campaign. In addition to the Schott Athletic Excellence Center, the couple’s philanthropy to SCU has included providing the lead gift for the 1,500-seat Stephen Schott Baseball Stadium and for the Patricia A. and Stephen C. Schott Admission and Enrollment Services Building, along with generous scholarship and faculty support. 

No fewer than 17 members of the Schott family have attended Santa Clara University.