Stuart Scott inducted into N.C. Journalism Hall of Fame

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill honored Stuart Scott, iconic ESPN sports broadcaster and 1987 Carolina alumnus, posthumously with an Oct. 23 induction to the N. C. Journalism Hall of Fame, based in the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media.

Jones Angell, journalism alumnus and the “Voice of the Tar Heels,” emceed the induction ceremony, which also featured speakers UNC-Chapel Hill Chancellor Carol L. Folt, Carolina soccer legend Mia Hamm and UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media Dean Susan King.

For photos and video, please visit mj.unc.edu/Stuart.

Capitol Broadcasting, parent company to WRAL-TV where Scott worked in one of his first broadcast jobs, underwrote the event.

The annual “Late Night With Roy” event, marking the start of Carolina’s basketball season, followed the induction ceremony and included a tribute to Scott, who first hosted “Late Night” in 2001 and did so a total of 10 times.

“Stuart Scott was an original who defined his brand of sports reporting,” said Susan King, dean of the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media. “He challenged the generation after him to be authentic and to find their voices as broadcasters. That may be his strongest professional legacy.”

For 21 years, Scott was one of ESPN’s and ABC Sports’ most recognizable and quotable personalities. During his career with ESPN, Scott covered major sporting events, including the NBA Finals, Super Bowl, World Series and the NCAA Final Four. He also hosted numerous ESPN and ABC specials, including “Dream Job” and “Stump the Schwab.” Scott also regularly contributed to ESPN.com, ESPN: The Magazine and ESPN Radio. Prior to joining ESPN, Scott worked at local stations in Orlando, Florida; Raleigh, North Carolina; and Florence, South Carolina. He graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1987 with a degree in Radio, Television and Motion Pictures.

Born in Chicago on July 19, 1965, Scott was the youngest of parents Jacqueline and O. Ray Scott Jr.’s four children. His siblings are Stephen Scott, Synthia Kearney and Susan Scott. His daughters are Taelor and Sydni.

Scott was diagnosed with cancer in November 2007. In 2014, he received the Jimmy V Perseverance Award at the ESPYs. Scott died on Jan. 4, 2015. His memoir, co-authored with Larry Platt, was published in March 2015 and became a New York Times Best Seller.

Letters nominating Scott for the Hall of Fame came in from current students, former ESPN colleagues and others inspired by Scott’s life and work. UNC-Chapel Hill head basketball coach Roy Williams was among Scott’s nominators.

The N.C. Journalism Hall of Fame held its first inductions in 1981. It is a part of the N.C. Halls of Fame in Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations that recognize people who became identified with the state of North Carolina and have made outstanding and career-long contributions to journalism, advertising or public relations.