Stuart Scott

Who He Was

Stuart Scott was an American sportscaster best known for anchoring ESPN’s SportsCenter. He was born in Chicago in 1965, moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina, as a child, and earned a degree in speech communication from the University of North Carolina, where he worked on the campus radio station. After college, he worked at local television stations in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Florida before joining ESPN in 1993 for its new channel, ESPN2, which sought sportscasters who could appeal to younger viewers. On air, he used hip-hop language and catchphrases such as “Boo-yah!” and “As cool as the other side of the pillow.” He went on to host coverage of the NBA and the NFL, and he died of cancer in 2015 at age 49.

Why He Matters

Stuart Scott changed how many people talk about sports by bringing his own voice and background into the broadcast. His style sounded like how many of his viewers, especially younger ones, spoke, and ESPN president John Skipper said Scott’s flair and style “changed everything.” In 2014, while being treated for cancer, he accepted an award for perseverance and told the audience, “You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and in the manner in which you live.” He began his career at a campus radio station, showing how much an early start can matter. For anyone who wants to be a broadcaster, his story shows that your own voice, not an imitation of someone else’s, can become your signature.