The Big Bird Classic was established in 2006 as a memorable tribute to a good friend, Rob Schuele, who was an avid outdoorsman that enjoyed duck and pheasant hunting along with BIG wine. Rob also had a desire to help worthy high school graduates towards higher education but his life was cut short before he could realize his vision. Each year, he hosted an event called “Big Wine Night”, an annual gathering where dinner guests were required to bring a rare and expensive bottle from their personal collection. Attendees would spend the evening drinking wine and celebrating their good fortune. Today, the Big Bird Classic is an annual pheasant hunt, wine and charity event that realizes Rob’s vision.

The proceeds from this event contribute to a four-year, full-ride scholarship to a deserving young person. Our goal each year is to find a current Michigan high school graduate who is academically worthy of college admission, but may lack the financial means to get there. The Big Bird Classic endows the Robert A. Schuele Scholarship Fund towards a scholarship to a Michigan college or university of the recipient’s choice.

Our motto is “Infectus Negotium”, Latin for “unfinished business” – the Big Bird Classic allows us to finish Rob’s business of helping others – something that will forever remain Infectus Negotium.

Your full contribution goes towards the recipients, no administration costs or staff overhead, just 100% goodness towards making a difference.

What began as a tribute for a friend has turned into a passion to change the lives of deserving local students, or to put it in in Rob’s words……ROCK SOMEONE’S WORLD