Durham called 23 bowl games, 13 Final Fours and four national championships for UNCGETTY IMAGES
Longtime Univ. of North Carolina basketball and football radio announcer WOODY DURHAM passed away early this morning at the age of 76, according to Jeff Gravley of WRALSPORTSFAN.com. Durham spent 40 years "calling some of UNC's most memorable sports moments," including 23 bowl games, 13 men's Final Fours and four national championships. He retired in '11 and "began to struggle with his speech soon after." Durham in '16 was diagnosed with "primary progressive aphasia, a rare brain disorder that affects speech." He was a 13-time winner of the National Sports Media Association's North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year award (WRALSPORTSFAN.com, 3/7). Durham in '15 received the Curt Gowdy Media Award for contributions to basketball from the Basketball HOF and is a member of the NSMA HOF (SCOUT.com, 3/7). Durham also "worked as sports director" at Greensboro-based WFMY-TV in the '60s. A celebration of Durham's life will be "held April 8 at Carmichael Arena," UNC's former on-campus basketball home (JOURNALNOW.com, 3/7). Durham for four decades was the "unifying voice of the Tar Heels." He was the "background sound to so many great moments in North Carolina history." Durham started in '71 at the "end an era when most games were consumed by radio" and was the "primary point of contact with the team for fans all over the state" (NEWSOBSERVER.com, 3/7). He will be "remembered as much for his well-known lines and delivery as his connection with his devoted audience" (NEWSOBSERVER.com, 3/7). SPORTS ANNOUNCERS REPORT CARD last month profiled Durham and longtime Duke radio announcer BOB HARRIS.
TWITTER TRIBUTES: Remembrances and tributes to Durham are pouring in on Twitter. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper wrote, "Woody Durham's amazing voice brought Tar Heel sports to life. His life, legacy and love for the first public university in this country to open its doors will never be forgotten." The News & Observer's Andrew Carter: "Difficult to describe how much of a legend Woody was, and how much his voice meant to so many. Before social media, the internet and even widely-available TV broadcasts, his voice connected so many to UNC basketball and football. Many a fan turned down the TV and turned up Woody." ESPN's Jay Bilas: "He was an ACC institution, a true icon, and was as nice and generous as he was professional. His voice and passion were inseparable from the North Carolina brand. A wonderful man." Spectrum News Charlotte's Mike Solarte: "@WesDurham - sending you a big bear hug, my friend. Your dad was among the greats." Former Virginia Tech annoucer Bill Roth: "Woody was a artist on the air. He was an inspiration for so many of us. A role model and personal hero of mine." Pittsburgh-based KDKA-TV's Rick Dayton: "I learned so much from Woody. He taught me more about preparation than any play-by-play man I every knew. Fitting that it happens during the ACC Tournament he loved so much, but sad news too." ESPN's Ryan McGee: "There is nothing great about losing Woody Durham. His voice is part of the soundtrack of my life. But if he had to leave us, the start of the ACC Tournament? That's divine." Charlottesville Daily Progress' Jerry Ratcliffe: "Had the pleasure of being on many of UNC’s pre-game shows with Woody when Carolina played UVA. Wonderful man."
