It was a year ago Friday that Post-Dispatch sports columnist Bryan Burwell lost his short battle with cancer, dying at just 59.
And his passing was mourned not only locally, but nationally as we as an overflow, standing-room crowd packed a memorial service for him a few days later.
It was a mixture of laughter and tears as a pioneer in sports journalism was fondly remembered over two days.
Many of those he worked with in St. Louis attended plus numerous well-known members of the national media. Among that group: James Brown, Michael Wilbon, Stephen A. Smith, William Rhoden, David Aldridge, Charley Steiner and J.A. Adande.
Others paying their respects included Blues chairman Tom Stillman (who stood during the nearly two-hour memorial service), Rams coach Jeff Fisher, Rams general manager Les Snead, Missouri Valley Conference commissioner Doug Elgin and Southern Illinois University Carbondale basketball coach Barry Hinson.
“I’m upset that St. Louis never understood how big he was on the national level,’’ said KTVI sports director Martin Kilcoyne, who worked with Burwell on some of his appearances on Channel 2. “He never acted like he was that guy.’’
But Burwell’s wife, Dawn, jokingly shot back — “only at home!”
Burwell was that kind of guy.
To read the entire article visit STL Today where it was originally published
Jason Barrett is the President and Founder of Barrett Media since the company was created in September 2015. Prior to its arrival, JB served as a sports radio programmer, launching brands such as 95.7 The Game in San Francisco, and 101 ESPN in St. Louis. He also spent time programming SportsTalk 950 in Philadelphia, 590 The Fan KFNS in St. Louis, and ESPN 1340/1390 in Poughkeepsie, NY. Jason also worked on-air and behind the scenes in local radio at 101.5 WPDH, WTBQ 1110AM, and WPYX 106.5. He also spent two years on the national stage, producing radio shows for ESPN Radio in Bristol, CT. Among them included the Dan Patrick Show, and GameNight.
You can find JB on Twitter @SportsRadioPD. He’s also reachable by email at Jason@BarrettMedia.com.
