Former Valdosta Daily Times sports editor and one-time Valdosta State University sports announcer Greg McIlvain has passed away in Tupelo, Miss.
McIlvain had battled several health issues in recent years. He died during the weekend, according to the Mississippi newspaper where he worked. He was 49 years old.
McIlvain came to Valdosta in late 1989, hired as The Valdosta Daily Times’ sports editor. During his time with the newspaper, McIlvain worked as the sports editor and a sports writer on more than one occasion. He was also the city editor for a period of time. He was fundamental in developing The Times’ early presence on the Internet, before leaving The Times and Valdosta in 2004.
“I am so sad that we’ve lost Greg,” said Times sports reporter Christian Malone. “He was a very good journalist and a super person. At the same time, I feel very lucky to have known Greg. The three years that I worked with Greg, when he was the sports editor here at The Valdosta Daily Times, were three of the most enjoyable years of my career as a journalist. I learned a whole lot from him, he treated me great, I believe we gave the people of Valdosta a pretty good sports section and we had a great time.”
McIlvain steeped himself in the lore of Valdosta and Lowndes High School football teams and the Winnersville tradition. He was also dedicated to covering a variety of sports for The Times.
“Greg was a real sports fan,” Herb Reinhard, Valdosta State University athletic director, said, as word of McIlvain’s passing spread Tuesday. “He was just a tremendous writer. I always enjoyed reading Greg’s pieces. He did a good job painting a picture with words.”
During his time in Valdosta, McIlvain developed an early appreciation for, and a special association with, Valdosta State athletics, from the time when the school was still a college and after it became a university.
He announced numerous Valdosta State games, starting with basketball, then adding his voice to calling Blazers baseball and football games, said Steve Roberts, VSU’s former sports information director.
“He had a great voice for public address,” Roberts said Tuesday.
McIlvain worked closely with Roberts on various Valdosta State projects.
“Greg was one of my very best friends,” Roberts said. “He loved Valdosta State and he loved Valdosta State athletics.”
As he did with The Times, McIlvain helped usher VSU athletics into the computer age, helping Roberts establish an Internet presence for the school.
“He was unsung, really, given all he did,” said Roberts, who had stayed in touch since McIlvain had left Valdosta. “I’m really going to miss him.”
For the past few years, McIlvain had been working as a sports copy desk editor for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal in Tupelo. Arrangements remained incomplete Tuesday evening. Services are expected to be held in his hometown of Memphis, Tenn., according to the Daily Journal.
“Greg was the kind of friend that would do anything for you. You can never have enough friends like that,” Malone said. “Even amidst my sadness at Greg’s death, I can’t help but smile, because I have so many wonderful memories of him. My condolences go out to his mother and his family.”
Local News
Former Times sports editor Greg McIlvain passes
- Local News
-
-
Lake Park in Limbo
LAKE PARK — Lake Park citizens will have to wait several months before being able to attend another City Council meeting following Tuesday’s resignation of two council members.
Deb Cox, Lowndes County elections supervisor, said Georgia state law dictates that another special election cannot be held until July 31. -
Colo. court says fugitive sibling has plea deal
WALSENBURG, Colo. — One of the three Dougherty siblings accused in a multi-state crime spree, including a Valdosta bank robbery, has reached a plea deal with prosecutors, a spokesman for the Colorado court system said Wednesday.
-
Airport Authority tours True Flight Aerospace Plant
VALDOSTA — The Valdosta-Lowndes County Airport Authority toured the True Flight Aerospace Plant after their meeting Wednesday morning. True Flight President and CEO, Kevin Lancaster, lead the tour through the facility which is located in the largest hanger at the Valdosta Regional Airport. -
Lake Park: Council members resign
Immediately following the Citizens to be Heard portion of the regular Lake Park council meeting Tuesday night, council members Eric Schindler and Paul Mulkey tendered their resignations.
-
Valwood goes global
Valwood School has hosted several international guests for the past several weeks.
-
City cuts ribbon on new home
With a snip of some over-sized wooden scissors, the City of Valdosta took another step in eliminating substandard housing.
-
Berrien clinic director loses job
Speaking to The Valdosta Daily Times about the possible discontinuation of the Berrien Elementary School MED Clinic led to the program’s executive director losing her job Monday morning.
-
From the CIA to man about town
Meet Jack Pruden, former member of the Central Intelligence Agency.
-
Berrien school medical facility faces an uncertain future
A state-of-the-art medical facility that was introduced in Berrien County public schools in 2010 might be ending soon.
-
New TV listings section debuts in print edition
In Sunday editions of The Valdosta Daily Times, keep an eye out for the updated TV listings section.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Lake Park in Limbo
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
