Cecil Hurt
Cecil Hurt (born 1959 in Tuscaloosa; died November 23, 2021 in Birmingham) was a long-time sportswriter for The Tuscaloosa News.
Hurt, the son of a former Alabama football player and high school football coach, grew up in Huntsville and graduated from Butler High School. He completed a bachelor's degree in English with a minor in psychology at the University of Alabama in 1981, working as a student assistant in the university's sports information office. He joined the Tuscaloosa News as a reporter on the Alabama football beat in 1982 and was promoted to sports editor for the paper in 1989. His regular columns became fixtures for a wide readership following Southeastern Conference football. His notable characteristics of good humor and kindness made him a well-loved figure.
Hurt was recognized as "Alabama Sportswriter of the Year" by the National Sports Media Association in 2016, 2018 and 2019, and was presented with the "Mel Allen Media Award" by the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 2019.
Hurt died in November 2021 after a long struggle with non-COVID pneumonia and other health issues. He was survived by his wife, Aimee, and two siblings.
References
- Deas, Tommy (November 23, 2021) "Cecil Hurt, longtime Tuscaloosa News sports editor and columnist, dies at 62." The Tuscaloosa News
- Stephenson, Creg (November 23, 2021) "Longtime Tuscaloosa News sports writer Cecil Hurt dies at 62." The Birmingham News