Published Wednesday, Jun. 2, 2021, 10:59 am
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“This is one of the happiest days of my life,” said Evan Hughes upon learning he had been chosen for the Jim Nantz Award. Photo courtesy of Evan Hughes.
How does someone develop into the top collegiate sports broadcaster? For Evan Hughes, it was a journey that began as a 12-year-old when he volunteered as the public address announcer for his sister’s all-star softball games.
There’s one moment that still sticks out in memory for Hughes along the way. He was calling play-by-play football on Patriot Talk Live, the network home he created for all sports radio broadcasts of the high school he attended, Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia.
Apr 9, 2021
Robert Scott Beard was born on August 24, 1964, and passed away on March 28, 2021.
Dr. Beard was the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at Shepherd University and was a nationally recognized pianist, teacher, clinician, author and recording artist. Before becoming Provost at Shepherd, he served the university in several positions, including Professor of Piano, Coordinator of Keyboard Studies, Dean of Graduate Studies and Associate Provost.
Scott, as he was known, was born in Richmond, Virginia to Charles Beard and Carolyn Elizabeth (Toler) Beard, and raised in Rockville, Virginia. He showed musical talent early and began his piano studies with regional teachers Judith Ross and later Judith Siegel. He graduated as salutatorian of his class at Patrick Henry High School in Ashland, Virginia, where he was an honors student across all disciplines, a Talented and Gifted Student, and a participant in numerous fine arts activities in the school, county and