CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (WNCN) – Woody Durham, who served for 40 years as the “Voice of the Tar Heels” on radio, has died at the age of 76. A release from UNC said Durham passed at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday.
Durham, a 1963 UNC graduate, retired in 2011. He called more than 1,800 broadcasts on the Tar Heels Sports Network, winning the North Carolina Sportscaster of the Year award 13 times. Durham previously worked at WFMY News 2 as a Sports Director. He was born in Mebane, NC.
“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."
In 2016, it was revealed he had been diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, which affected his ability to speak.
The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association honored Durham at the 2018 ACC Men’s Basketball Tournament with the Bob Bradley Spirit and Courage Award.
Photo: WFMY News 2
Durham's son Wes accepted the award while also announcing the UNC game against Syracuse.
Durham's son Wes spoke about his father's impact on basketball and the ACC Tournament.
“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.”
UNC basketball team members remembered Durham in their own way before the game against Syracuse. Players wore jersey covers with Woody's name appearing on them.
UNC Men's Basketball Coach Roy Williams said the following about Durham:
“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."
ACC Commissioner and UNC alum John Swofford praised Durham Wednesday:
"Woody was synonymous with Carolina Athletics for decades, and his voice was gospel to generations of Tar Heels who trusted his every word. 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."
CELEBRATION OF LIFE
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
HONORS
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.
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.
STATS
Woody called 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.
He called more than 1,800 broadcasts on the Tar Heels Sports Network.
REMEMBERING DURHAM'S LEGACY
NC State Radio Play-By-Play Announcer Gary Hahn Remembers Woody Durham
Wake Forest Analyst Mark Freidinger Remembers Woody Durham
1978 National Player of the Year and three-time All-America Phil Ford on the death of Woody Durham:
"'Rocky Mount junior running one-hander is good.'
When I think of Woody Durham, the Voice of the Tar Heels, so many memories flash though my mind. For UNC fans of football and basketball, it’s both the knowledge of the game and the passion in Woody’s voice that set him apart. For those of us who knew Woody, we knew he put in as much preparation for each game as did the players and coaches. That is dedication you don’t see any more.
The proud tradition that has always been UNC Athletics has been made stronger over the years because of Woody. He was there when we celebrated national championships, bowl victories and disappointing losses. Coaches and players have come and gone, but that solid Carolina voice was always there to reassure the Tar Heel family.
I’ve watched and played a lot of basketball, but I have never seen anything like our student section during a game begin to chant softly – 'Woody, Woody, Woody' until the entire crowd is screaming Woody Durham’s name. It is that respect that will stay with the Tar Heel faithful and me forever.
On behalf of this former Rocky Mount Tar Heel, thank you Woody. Thank you to the Durham family. And thank you to the University of North Carolina for allowing Woody to spread Tar Heel excitement from Murphy to Manteo.”
North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) released a statement in remembrance of Woody Durham:
“It’s hard to lose Woody during the week of the ACC basketball tournament, where his voice was such a fixture,” said Speaker Moore. “Woody means so much to the students and faculty in Chapel Hill, and UNC fans around the world. His family and friends are in our prayers as we all cherish his legacy in the Carolina community.”
Woody Durham was the voice of some of Tar Heel sports’ most memorable moments, including 13 men’s basketball Final Fours and more than 20 football bowl games. In 2016 he was diagnosed with primary progressive aphasia, a brain disorder impacting speech.
Speaker Moore received his undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and served on the UNC Board of Governors prior to joining the state House of Representatives.
Heissurvivedbyhiswife,Jean,towhomhewasmarriedfor54years;theirtwosons,WesandTaylor;andtwograndchildren,EmilyandWill.
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