What Was Your Favorite Memory of Woody Durham?

It was announced today that longtime UNC announcer Woody Durham passed away at the age of 76.

Durham retired from the Tar Heel Sports Network in 2011 after four decades behind the microphone calling UNC games on WCHL and other affiliates across the state. Durham graduated from UNC in 1963 and went on to call more than 1,800 broadcasts on the Tar Heel Sports Network.

For many, Durham was the preferred method of listening to UNC broadcasts. People would mute the volume on their televisions and turn Durham’s broadcast up so they could hear him. His famous saying, “Go where you go, do what you do” is still seen around the Chapel Hill area today to raise awareness for primary progressive aphasia, the neurocognitive disorder Durham had been diagnosed with.

As soon as his passing was announced, the hashtag #HeyWoody began trending with stories on how his broadcasts impacted people’s lives and their UNC experience.

 

Back in the day, if games ran past bedtime I'd listen to Woody on @WCHLChapelboro through a tiny transitor radio, covers thrown over my head. He made generations of fans out of kids like me. https://t.co/kOMdh5U9Ie

— Bethany Chaney (@Chaney4Carrboro) March 7, 2018

Sad news from the Southern Part of Heaven… In school we used to turn down the tv and turn up @WCHLChapelboro just to hear Woody’s call of the @UNC_Basketball games. So many great memories. He will be sorely missed… #WoodyDurham #OnceATarheelAlwaysATarheel https://t.co/xaJChJi17p

— Alex Wright (@AlxWrghtTwtr) March 7, 2018

Woody was a big part of my life as a child, helping cement an early love for Carolina basketball. One of the Old North State’s finest. https://t.co/4VOz6BQAO7

— Alex Thomas (@AlexHouseThomas) March 7, 2018

Growing up, we always muted the TV and turned on the radio so we could listen to Woody, despite the broadcasts never matching up. "Go where you go and do what you do" was religion in our house. It feels like I've lost a best friend. @GoHeels #HeyWoody

— Lucy Ann (@lucy_ann11) March 7, 2018

Best part of a @GTMBB trip to UNC or ACC Tourney? Chats with the great Woody Durham and a hug from Jean. #HeyWoody.

— Randy Waters (@randysports) March 7, 2018

Will never forget my Dad (upon hearing Dick Vitale's voice) immediately muting the TV and turning the radio on to Woody Durham. No one understood us Tarheels like #HeyWoody #GoWhereYouGo #TarheelBred https://t.co/CficCRhYLo

— Eva Bland (@evabland) March 7, 2018

Do you have a memory of how Woody’s broadcasts impacted your UNC experience? We’d love to hear them.

Comment below with your stories or you can email them to us at dakota@wchl.com.

#HeyWoody