Broadcaster, talk show host and columnist Joel “Woody” Woodrum passed away in his sleep last night in Huntington. In a lengthy and decorated media career, Woodrum reported on the Marshall Thundering Herd and high school football as well. He is most noted for work as the color commentator for MU football and basketball radio broadcasts as well as hosting or co-hosting local pre- and post-game shows. Woodrum was also behind the microphone as the public address voice for Marshall’s football, basketball and volleyball teams.
Woodrum received numerous awards including West Virginia Broadcaster of the Year from the National Association of Sportswriters & Sportscasters. In addition to his work at Marshall, Woodrum also worked full time at Kindred Communications. At Kindred, Woodrum hosted Sportsline Daily Talk Show, wrote and edited the Herd Insider and did play-by-play and color for high school sports broadcasts.
Woodrum was a native of Winfield and he graduated from Winfield High School. He served as the equipment manager at Marshall until 1995 and his full-time career in radio and print media ended in 2017. While semi-retired, Woodrum was recently on the call for radio broadcasts of Huntington High School football.
At the Marshall University Alumni Association Awards Banquet in April, Woodrum was recognized with the Distinguished Service to Marshall University award.
(Information from Marshall University is included in this report)