Scholarship fund established in honor of sports broadcaster
The DuPage Foundation has announced the establishment of the Jim Durham Memorial Scholarship Fund for Communication Arts. The fund was created by the Durham family in memory of Jim, who was best known as the "voice" of the Chicago Bulls and the National Basketball Association on ESPN Radio.
The scholarship fund has been created to benefit juniors and seniors attending Benedictine University in Lisle who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in communications, with preference given to those seeking a career in sports broadcasting.
Recipients of the scholarship must be individuals who have demonstrated great personal integrity in their own lives and who are driven by a passion for excellence. The scholarship will be made known by Benedictine University to eligible students, who may apply no earlier than their sophomore year for distribution during their junior or senior year.
"Sports broadcasting will be the fund's primary focus, as it was for Jim, but students pursuing careers in other communication arts may also benefit, as Jim would have been just as enthusiastic about other art forms designed to communicate a message that would make a difference for good in the world, as well as the 'great good' of describing an exciting sports story," said Durham's wife, Helen Durham.
"Jim was, by nature, an encourager of others," she continued. "A young friend recently wrote, 'Jim helped people around him do what God was calling them to do. That was truly one of Jim's greatest legacies. And it would be wonderful to honor Jim's faith by giving assistance to people who want to make a difference in the world. I only met Jim a few times, but he made me feel special. He made me feel like I could accomplish anything, and he made me feel like my work was important.'"
"Jim was at an A-level from the get-go," wrote Brian McIntyre, former senior communications adviser to the NBA commissioner. "And he wasn't just one of the best announcers of all time; he was in the human being Hall of Fame. He treated people like gold and just lived his life the right way."
Durham died of natural causes on Nov. 4, 2012, at the age of 65. He began his professional career in sports broadcasting in 1973, and worked until the week before his death in a career that spanned nearly 40 years.
Durham attended Illinois State University, where he worked at the campus radio station. He worked at WJBC in Bloomington prior to his 18-year career as the voice of the Chicago Bulls with broadcast partner Johnny "Red" Kerr.
For 18 seasons, Durham also was the lead play-by-play announcer for the NBA on ESPN Radio with his broadcast partner Jack Ramsay. Durham also worked for the Chicago White Sox, the Dallas Mavericks, Turner Sports, ABC, CBS, NBC and the Houston Astros.
Durham is survived by his wife Helen; daughter Traci Gilchrist and son-in-law, Jason Gilchrist; son Patrick Durham and daughter-in-law Laurie Durham; son Richard Durham and daughter-in-law Kara Durham; six grandchildren, Tyler Giraud, Spencer Giraud, Katlyn Gilchrist, Jaclyn Gilchrist, Nicholas Durham and Mia Durham; sister Sandie Durham Short; and sister-in-law Connie Durham.
For information about the Jim Durham Memorial Scholarship Fund for Communication Arts, or to make a donation, visit jimdurhammemorialfund.org or call (630) 665-5556.