North Carolina pays tribute to legendary broadcaster Woody Durham with tremendous honor

The University of North Carolina Department of Athletics and the Rams Club announced the new and improved media and communications center, which is adjacent to the Dean E. Smith Center. It will formally be named the Woody Durham Media and Communications Center after the play-by-play radio announcer for North Carolina football and men’s basketball from 1971 to 2011.

“Woody loved his alma mater and the Tar Heels, and his work helped create generations of Tar Heel fans while setting a standard of excellence for every broadcast, story and highlight,” UNC Director of Athletics Bubba Cunningham said. “We tell the stories of our 800 student-athletes and 28 teams through multiple media platforms at our media and communications center, and it is fitting that the building is now named in Woody’s honor. As Woody liked to say, ‘Go where you go and do what you do.'”

Durham died at age 76 on March 7, 2018 peacefully at home from complications from Primary Progressive Aphasia. The legendary broadcaster called a total of 23 UNC football bowl games, 13 Final Fours and six national championship games, including the NCAA title-winning seasons in 1982, 1993, 2005 and 2009.

North Carolina Athletics released a few statements from Durham’s family, including his wife and children.

“This recognition for Woody has been so emotional for me,” Woody’s wife, Jean Durham. said. “It’s totally unexpected, but I am so grateful. I greatly appreciate the family that made the gift to honor Woody’s memory. Knowing how loyal he was to “his” university, makes this honor even more special. I hope when fans walk by the media center and see his name, it will trigger a thought of Woody and a smile.”

“We are grateful to the University and the athletic department for this incredible honor,” Durham’s children, Wes and Taylor said in a joint statement. “The generosity shown in naming this building after our dad forever ensures his incredible association with Carolina. He never took for granted the opportunity to represent his alma mater, but also the coaches and players that were central figures in his broadcasts. Nearly 11 years after his career ended, our family is continually reminded by fans of Carolina and the ACC how much his work meant to them.”

The Durham family, led by Woody’s wife, Jean, and sons, Wes and Taylor, will be recognized at halftime of Wednesday’s men’s basketball game against Pittsburgh. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on the ACC Network.