Stuart Scott was a incredible man. He worked hard through hard times and inspired millions. His death on January 4th shocked not just his family and co-workers, but everyone who had seen him on TV throughout the years. From working in local sports markets to being the lead host for NBA coverage at ESPN he was a fantastic on-air personality.
Scott was born on July 19th, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois. Even as a kid he was a sports nut, constantly staying active and participating in athletics. He went to college at the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and received his Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication. While at UNC he continued to play sports, participating in the club football team and even being named captain. While staying involved in other endeavors, he was honing his skills as a anchor by working at the university radio station WXYC.
After graduating in 1897 Scott began to work on local TV stations. He spent 1 year in South Carolina before coming back to NC to work for WRAL. While at WRAL Scott created a catchphrase that would become legendary, “cooler than the other side of the pillow”. He worked at WRAL from 1988 to 1990. Sports broadcaster Jeff Gravley described Scott as a man who loved his job, using adjectives such as “gregarious”, and having a “natural bond” with the sports department. After his departure in 1990 Scott routinely stopped back by WRAL and visited his former coworkers.
Scott did not begin his ESPN career at SportsCenter. In fact it was a segment on ESPN2's SportsNight in 1993. After a short time he was moved into the host spot on SportsNight and then became a regular on the famous SportsCenter. Scott brought his unique catchphrases along with his special personality. Creating phrases such as “Booyah”, and “just call him butter cause he's on a roll”.
In 2002 he became a host on ESPN's coverage of the NBA. IN 2008 he became the full time head anchor. Though he was known for his skills on the football field he had extensive knowledge of the game. He covered the '97 and '98 finals and got a one on one interview with Michael Jordan. He doubled up on his NBA coverage by also covering the NFL after its move to ESPN in 2006. Scott provided coverage for Monday night football and “Monday Night Countdown”.
Personally, Stuart Scott had a huge impact on the person I am today. Millions of people including myself would sit and wait for Scott to come on the TV and hear what phrases he was gonna use that day. Hoping that my personal future ends up in the same chair Stuart Scott sat in at the SportsCenter studio, I look to him for any way to differentiate myself. It seemed so natural for Stuart Scott to go on air and get the job done. He genuinely enjoyed his job and sports in general. If there was a Mount Rushmore for sports broadcasters I would confidently say Stuart Scott would be on it no questions asked.
Scott first learned of his cancerous appendix in 2007. He took a extended leave of absence but unfortunately was diagnosed twice more in 2011 and 2013. ESPN and the sports world honored him with a award. The award is named after a man who also was very inspirational while facing tough times, Jim Valvano. For those who don't know of Jimmy V he was a former NC State basketball coach who was diagnosed with cancer, He created the Jimmy V foundation for Cancer Research as a way to help those in the future possibly find a cure for cancer. A college basketball tournament is played every year in his honor with 100% of the proceeds going to his foundation. He also had the Jimmy V Perseverance award named after him. This award is handed out yearly at the ESPY's to a man or woman who is facing extreme adversity yet remains unphased. In 2014 Stuart Scott was given this award, his speech was heartfelt and touching. His quote holds his spirit in his words, “When you die, it does not mean you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live”.
Stuart Scott will be dearly missed by his co-workers at every level of television, his family, his friends, and the millions of viewers including myself who grew up loving his style of commentary.
RIP Stuart Scott. July 19th, 1965- January 4th, 2015
