North Carolina basketball won’t be the same without Woody Durham
As the North Carolina basketball team gears up for an ACC Tournament run, the university, fans and alumni will have heavy hearts as Woody Durham, the voice of Tar Heel sports has passed away.
When we think about sports, particularly college athletics, we tend to bring up the players and coaches. But the unheralded heroes that can be forgotten are those who call the games. North Carolina basketball has just lost one of those heroes.
Longtime announcer Woody Durham was diagnosed with a deteriorating brain disorder over the last few years, and after a brave battle, the broadcasting great has passed away at age 76.
Sometimes games can be boring, confusing or even maddening, especially when it comes to our favorite teams, but that’s where announcers and analysts come in. If they’re really good, they can make even the toughest of games bearable.
For the University of North Carolina fans, that man was Woody Durham, who called games for the school from 1971-2011. The North Carolina graduate instantly became popular for listeners, with a style of calling games in which few could find fault.
Big moments are a part of broadcasting, and Durham was one of the greatest at handling those moments. He was there for Michael Jordan’s game-winner for the 1982 National Championship, among many other memorable Tar Heel victories and heartbreaks.
His outstanding career and accomplishments were noted throughout his career, including winning 13 times the North Carolina Sportscaster of the year. After his retirement, Durham was award the Curt Gowdy Media Award for his basketball contributions, considered one of, if not the highest honor for announcers.
It’s with great sadness that we report the death of Woody Durham, the Voice of the Tar Heels, at age 76.https://t.co/KsjGXbA9QZ pic.twitter.com/KrXNJOCgWh
— UNC Tar Heels (@GoHeels) March 7, 2018
Many in Tar Heel Nation were taken aback by the news, with many offering their thoughts and condolences.
Growing up in North Carolina without cable, I probably listened to Woody Durham’s calls closer than I ever listened to a Sunday sermon
— Brooke Pryor (@bepryor) March 7, 2018
(also bc my dad was the pastor but that’s for another time).
RIP, Woody.
I’m only 17, but as a kid, I remember hearing Woody Durham call Tar Heels games. My dad grew up with him and tells me all the time how much of a legend and a nice guy he is. Rest In Peace.
— Tar Heels (@Tar_Heel22) March 7, 2018
RIP Woody Durham... That man's voice defined my childhood. Any UNC bball game that we weren't at home watching or in the stands for, we had Woody's voice on the radio painting the clearest picture possible. Sad sad day for the sport of basketball and for Tar Heels everywhere.
— Aaron West (@oeste) March 7, 2018
Man, really saddened to hear about the passing of Woody Durham, an icon in this field. Recall watching ‘05 title game and racing to a radio in the final moments because I had to hear what he was going to say. Nobody made every play feel like it mattered the way he did. #HeyWoody
— Adam Witten (@AdamBWitten) March 7, 2018
Another famous figure in North Carolina sports, current basketball head coach Roy Williams gave his thoughts as well, courtesy of GoHeels.com:
"“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. 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.”"
North Carolina has long been one of the top collegiate programs with a passionate national fan base. With a fan reach that wide, many people had the opportunity to hear Woody Durham call a game, and even opposing fans appreciated his craft. It’s an artform that very few can do well.
Next: 2018 ACC Tournament Breakdown
The ACC has already announced they will be honoring Durham during this week’s conference tournament, and the school will be making their owns plans. It’s in recognition of a man who not only entertained an individual fan base, but the country at large. There were few like him, and will be few after Woody Durham.