Carolina’s Woody Durham Dies at the Age of 76
— Dean Smith (left) and Woody Durham (right), photo courtesy of UNC Sports Information
— story courtesy of UNC Sports Information
Carolina’s Woody Durham Dies at the Age of 76
CHAPEL HILL –– Woody Durham, the beloved and iconic Hall of Fame voice of Carolina Basketball and Football for 40 years, died peacefully at home from complications from Primary Progressive Aphasia at 12:45 a.m. today. He was 76 years old.
A 1963 graduate of the University of North Carolina, Durham was the radio voice of the Tar Heels from 1971-2011, painting a vivid picture of Tar Heel legends for generations of fans, and became himself a Carolina institution.
The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association will honor Durham at the 2018 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament with the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award, recognizing the grace and dignity with which in recent years he publicly dealt with Primary Progressive Aphasia, a degenerative brain disorder that negatively impacted his ability to communicate as he once mastered.
In June, Durham will be inducted into the National Sports Media Association’s Hall of Fame with HBO’s Bryant Gumbel, Washington Post baseball columnist Thomas Boswell and Bluestar Media’s Dick Weiss, former national college basketball and football writer for the Philadelphia Daily News and the New York Daily News.
Durham received the Curt Gowdy Media Award for contributions to basketball from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2015.
“Our family is grateful for the incredible support my dad and our family received throughout his illness,” says Wes Durham. “From the medical teams to the general public, it’s been amazing. We hold to and will always cherish the wonderful memories he left for our family and Carolina fans throughout the world.”
Born in Mebane, N.C., and raised in Albemarle, Durham soon became a fixture in Chapel Hill and throughout the Tar Heel State, calling 23 Tar Heel football bowl games, 13 men’s basketball Final Fours and six national championship games, including the NCAA title-winning seasons in 1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009.
“It’s a very sad day for everyone who loves the University of North Carolina because we have lost someone who spent nearly 50 years as one of its greatest champions and ambassadors,” says UNC men’s basketball coach Roy Williams. “My heart goes out to Jean, Wes, Taylor and their entire family.
“It’s ironic that Woody would pass away at the start of the postseason in college basketball because this was such a joyous time for him. He created so many lasting memories for Carolina fans during this time of year. It’s equally ironic that he dealt with a disorder for the final years of his life that robbed him of his ability to communicate as effectively as he did in perfecting his craft.
“Woody loved the Tar Heels and players, coaches and fans of all ages loved him right back. We should all ‘go where we go and do what we do’ and say a prayer for Woody and his family. There will never be another quite like him.”
Durham won the North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year Award 13 times. He was also inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame, the North Carolina Broadcasters Hall of Fame, the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame and the Mebane Sports Hall of Fame.
Durham received a distinguished service medal from the UNC General Alumni Association for outstanding service to the University and the alumni association; the William R. Davie Award, given by the UNC Board of Trustees to recognize extraordinary service to the University; the Skeeter Francis Award for special service to the Atlantic Coast Conference; the Russell Blunt Legends Award from the North Carolina High School Athletic Association for being a true legend in athletics; the Lindsey Nelson Outstanding Sportscaster Award from the All-American Football Foundation; the Outstanding Service Award from the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center Board of Visitors; a Priceless Gem from UNC Athletics; and a Distinguished Service Award from the NCHSAA.
“Woody was synonymous with Carolina Athletics for decades and his voice was gospel to generations of Tar Heels who trusted his every word,” says John Swofford, Commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference and Director of Athletics at UNC from 1980-97. “I was struck by how diligently Woody prepared for his broadcast of games. When game time arrived, he made it look and sound so easy because he had a voice that resonated just so, but much of it was because he worked incredibly hard at it. As they say ‘the great ones make it look easy’. Woody was one of the great ones. He was just as good a person as he was a broadcaster.
“My thoughts and prayers, as well as those of the entire Atlantic Coast Conference, go out to Jean, Wes, Taylor and the entire Durham family.”
“‘Hark the sound of Tar Heel voices ringing clear and true’ – that’s Woody Durham,” says Dick Baddour, UNC’s Director of Athletics from 1997-2011. “His voice was the sound of Carolina and it will forever ring clear and true. But it was always more than the sound of his voice; his success was determined by his professional approach, his preparation and his ability to develop the human side of the student athletes and coaches who represented his alma mater. Woody was a legend among legends and the University will forever be grateful for how he represented the Tar Heels in such a first-class way.”
Since retiring after the 2010-11 football and basketball seasons, Durham continued to be honored for his work and contributions to the community: in 2011, the National Football Foundation presented him with the Chris Schenkel Award; in 2012, he was the inaugural recipient of the Nice Lombardi Excellence in College Broadcasting Award; in 2016, the towns of Chapel Hill and Carrboro named him a Town Treasure, which is given to its exceptional citizens; and last year, the Knoxville (Tenn.) Quarterback Club honored Durham with the Lindsey Nelson Broadcasting Award.
Durham broadcast Carolina Basketball games coached by Dean Smith, Bill Guthridge, Matt Doherty and Roy Williams. He called games that included 33 Tar Heels whose jerseys hang in the Smith Center rafters, including National Players of the Year Phil Ford, James Worthy, Michael Jordan, Kenny Smith, Jerry Stackhouse, Antawn Jamison, Sean May and Tyler Hansbrough.
His broadcast career spanned the collegiate playing days of Tar Heel football players such as Paul Miller, Mike Voight, Amos Lawrence, Kelvin Bryant, Lawrence Taylor, Harris Barton, Natrone Means, Jason Stanicek, Leon Johnson, Greg Ellis, Dre’ Bly, Julius Peppers and T.J. Yates. Durham broadcast the coaching careers of six UNC head football coaches – Bill Dooley, Dick Crum, Mack Brown, Carl Torbush, John Bunting and Butch Davis.
Durham called play-by-play on on the Tar Heel Sports Network on more than 1,800 football and men’s basketball broadcasts.
“I started listening to Woody call Carolina games when my brother (Steve) came to Carolina in 1984,” says Rick Steinbacher, Carolina’s senior associate director of athletics for marketing, whose games as a UNC linebacker Durham called, was captain of the UNC football team in 1993 and later served as the color analyst alongside Durham for 11 seasons.
“As a broadcaster, he is among the very best ever. His voice, his knowledge and passion for Carolina were unmatched. Working with him I learned even more about what made him so special, namely his work ethic, preparation and care for everyone he worked with set a standard for all to emulate. My heart goes out to his family and so many friends over the loss of a great man, a priceless gem and the Voice of the Tar Heels.”
He was sports director at WUNC while attending Carolina, sports director at WFMY-TV in Greensboro from 1963-77 and at WPTF-TV in Raleigh from 1977-1981. Since 1981, he worked for the Tar Heel Sports Network with VilCom Inc. of Chapel Hill and Learfield Communications Inc. of Jefferson City, Mo.
“I am filled with sadness at the loss of a mentor, friend and Carolina icon,” says Jones Angell, play-by-play announcer for Carolina Basketball and Football since Durham’s retirement in 2011. “Woody meant so much to me personally and professionally, and I feel honored to have worked with him and learned from him. We try to reach the standard of excellence Woody set for 40 years through his passion and professionalism on every broadcast on the Tar Heel Sports Network. We will continue that moving forward.
“My deepest sympathies go to his wonderful family: Jean, Wes and Taylor. All Tar Heels grieve with them today.”
Carolina fans are encouraged to share their favorite memories of Woody via Twitter @GoHeels using the hashtag #HeyWoody and are invited to listen to his greatest calls by visiting GoHeels.com.
He is survived by his wife, Jean, to whom he was married for 54 years; their two sons, Wes and Taylor; and two grandchildren, Emily and Will. Wes is the radio voice of the Atlanta Falcons and broadcasts college football and basketball for Raycom Sports and Fox. Taylor is the play-by-play announcer for Elon University.
A celebration of Woody’s life is planned for Sunday, April 8th, at Carmichael Arena on the UNC campus.
Memorial gifts may be made to the following:
Medical Foundation of NC
For Woody Durham Fund
PO Box 1050
Chapel Hill NC 27514
UNC Hospice
287 East Street, Suite 221
Pittsboro NC 27312
STEVE KIRSCHNER
University of North Carolina
Senior Associate A.D. for Communications
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2018
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS
Remembering Former Henderson Mayor Robert Gill “Chick” Young, Jr.
By: Kelly Bondurant, Freelance Writer/Editor for Hire
The local community was saddened to learn recently of the passing of Chick Young, former long-serving Henderson mayor, on Saturday, March 3, 2018, at the age of 84.
Young’s service to the office of mayor began in 1979 and continued for 24 consecutive years until 2003 when he decided not to seek reelection.
Young was born in Vance County in 1933 to the late Robert Gill Young and Helen Goodwyn Young. He graduated from Henderson High School, and later, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in business administration.
Shortly after graduating college, Young joined the United States Navy, serving four years of active duty and 26 years in the Naval Reserves before retiring with the rank of captain.
Soon after returning to Henderson in 1960 to enter business with his father, Young opened a life and health insurance agency.
In addition to his business, Young was active in the community, serving as president of the Henderson Jaycees, chairman of the Henderson Recreation Commission, Henderson-Vance Chamber of Commerce Man of the Year and was recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Foundation.
He also served on the Board of Directors and several committees of The North Carolina League of Cities. Upon his retirement, Young was presented The George Rose Watkins Jr. Citizen of the Year Award and was also presented The Order of the Long Leaf Pine by the governor of North Carolina.
Young is survived by his wife of 60 years, Shirley Knott Young, two sons, three grandsons and three great-granddaughters.
Donald Seifert, a retired Henderson businessman, Vance Granville Community College Trustee and longtime friend, grew up with Young and remembers him fondly. “Chick loved his family, he loved his church, he loved his community and he loved his country,” said Seifert. “The fact that he served as mayor for as long as he did is evidence of his love for his community.”
George Watkins, past president of Rose Oil Company and community leader/advocate, remembers a man that was more than a friend, “Our families vacationed together for 48 years. He was more like a brother than a friend.”
In speaking on his tenure as mayor, Watkins explained that Young was a big support, along with the City of Henderson, in the building of the new H. Leslie Perry Memorial Library and the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center.
In an on-air interview with WIZS, Seifert also mentioned Young’s support in the efforts to bring recreational opportunities to the area. “Chick was instrumental in bringing recreation to Henderson and in getting Fox Pond Park and the Aycock Recreation Center developed,” Seifert said.
Eric Williams, former City Manager, who served the majority of his tenure under Young, spoke on the impact Young had on others. “Chick stands out at the very top of the list of public officials that I have worked with,” Williams said. “He was extremely gifted at bringing people together.”
Williams stated that Young’s enthusiasm and love for the community were contagious. “He was the area’s biggest cheerleader. He was constantly promoting the history and vitality of his hometown,” said Williams.
Fellow former Henderson Mayor James D. “Pete” O’Geary, who served two terms, spoke of Young as a man of great integrity. “I met Chick in 1981 when I served on the City Council. I was always inspired by him and how he handled the office of mayor. He was so dedicated and set a great example for the staff at City Hall and the community,” O’Geary said.
Years later, when O’Geary ran for mayor and won, Young shared words of wisdom. “I’ll never forget the time he visited me at home after the election. He told me that the mayor is the number one elected official to this city,” said O’Geary. “He told me that I would set the example, not only for the City Council and staff, but for everyone. He said that the life that you live will be a life that people look at and remember.”
Dianne White, who worked as City Clerk with Young for 15 years, shared her thoughts on Young’s character. “He was highly respected by many organizations,” said White. “Our Mayor Young was approachable and helped many citizens. He will always be remembered kindly.”
Former Henderson City Attorney John Zollicoffer remembered Young’s easy-going and calming nature. “When he was mayor, people would come to the City Council upset about something and he would patiently listen and then reassure them on what he knew could be done, or if it couldn’t be done legally, he’d calmly explain why,” said Zollicoffer. “You could just see their anger dissipate. He was oil on the waters as far as calming people and viewing things in a rational light.”
Young’s friends and colleagues also remember a man that loved sports, especially golf, football and Carolina Tar Heel basketball. “He loved to play golf, especially in retirement, but only during the week. He saved the weekends for family time,” said Seifert.
Cam Ford, preacher of New Horizons Baptist Church in Oxford, was a fellow golfing buddy of Young. “I met some of the finest people and best friends of my life at Henderson Country Club and I would certainly count Mayor Young in that group,” said Ford. “I enjoyed getting to know him. He is the absolute epitome of a Southern gentleman.”
In remembering Young as a beloved mayor, businessman, community leader and friend, Watkins echoed the sentiments of many, “Chick was the best mayor that we ever had. I’m going to miss him.”
A memorial service will be held Wednesday, March 7, 2018, at 2 p.m. at The Church of The Holy Innocents by the Rev. Donald A. Lowery. A reception will follow in the Great Hall of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Church of The Holy Innocents, 210 Chestnut Street, Henderson, NC 27536 or to the McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center, PO Box 769, Henderson, NC 27536.
Home Heat Payment Assistance Possible Until 3-31-18
You may be eligible for assistance with your home heating costs. An additional grant of funding has made it possible to apply for home heat payment assistance through the Vance County Department of Social Services and a program called Low Income Energy Assistance.
Please follow this link for LIEP.
Please check out the Vance County DSS page by following this link for additional services offered.
If you need help with home heating, apply soon. You can only apply through March 31 or until funds run out. Applications can also be made in December, so this is a program to tuck away in your calendar if you might be able to benefit in during the next heating season this fall and winter.
H-V Crime Stoppers (Feb 2018)
The Henderson Police Department, in cooperation with H-V Crime Stoppers, wants to re-run the following February Crimes of the Month. New March Crimes of the Month will also be available soon.
Press Release – Tuesday, February 12, 2018
On Wednesday, February 7, 2018 around 10:20 PM members of the Henderson Police Department responded to Temco Food Mart, 1022 Ruin Creek Road Henderson, NC in reference to an armed robbery. The suspects were described as two black males. One suspect was described as wearing a black hoodie and a bandana, and the other as wearing a dark-colored hoodie, and a bandana. The suspects displayed firearms and stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
On Thursday, February 8, 2018 around 9:50 PM members of the Henderson Police Department responded to New Dixie Mart, 1201 Dabney Drive Henderson, NC in reference to an armed robbery. The suspects were described as a two black males. One suspect was described as wearing a black hoodie, and the other as wearing a gray hoodie and a black jacket. One of the suspects displayed a firearm and stole an undisclosed amount of U.S. currency.
The Henderson Police Department is seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the suspect(s) involved in these cases. If you have knowledge of who the suspect is or know of his whereabouts you are asked to contact the Henderson Police Department at 252-438-4141. Callers may also call Crime Stoppers at 252-492-1925 or by using the P3 app on a smartphone or tablet device. Callers may remain anonymous.
Authority: Chief M.W. Barrow
Travel Back To The Days Of Motown With Masters Of Soul
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
— submitted by McGregor Hall
Travel Back To The Days Of Motown With Masters Of Soul
Motown Revue to perform at McGregor Hall on Saturday, March 3
The Masters of Soul will showcase some of the greatest hits of the 1960s and 1970s as Motown comes to Henderson during a must-experience concert at McGregor Hall Performing Arts Center this Saturday, March 3.
The Masters of Soul is a 10-person performing group based in Virginia Beach, Va. Their Motown Revue is a celebration of the legendary songs and performers that defined Motown and Soul music. The show will feature stylishly costumed, fully choreographed performances of both male and female groups backed by a live band. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and the concert starts at 8 p.m.
“For many, Masters of Soul is the ultimate stroll down memory lane,” explained said Mark Hopper, vice president of the McGregor Hall Board of Directors. “For younger generations, the show offers an opportunity to experience an era in our country’s history that produced many of the greatest music acts ever recorded.”
Masters of Soul will perform songs from Gladys Knight and The Pips, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Temptations, The Four Tops, Diana Ross and The Supremes, Martha Reeves & The Vandellas, Barry White, Sam and Dave, and James Brown, among others.
The group consists of three lead male vocalists and three lead female vocalists backed by a four-piece band of seasoned musicians who’ve been touring together for decades. Masters of Soul has performed to numerous sold-out audiences and garnered rave reviews across the country.
Tickets are on sale for $30 or $25 plus sales tax and can be purchased directly at the McGregor Hall Box office, which is open Monday through Friday from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at 201 Breckenridge Street in downtown Henderson or by phone at (252) 598-0662. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.McGregorHall.org by using the secure and trusted purchasing platform, eTix.
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(This is not a paid advertisement. However, WIZS Radio has aired paid advertising for McGregor Hall for this same event.)