MONTGOMERY — The AHSAA was saddened to learn that legendary radio broadcaster Jerry Young, 67, passed away suddenly on Friday, Jan. 12. The long-time high school sportscaster spent much of his broadcasting career announcing high school sports events.

“We are truly saddened to learn of our friend Jerry Young’s passing,” said AHSAA Executive Director Alvin Briggs. “His positive impact as a voice for our high school student-athletes will continue to have a lasting effect. He was a legendary announcer who truly under the education-based mission of high school sports in the AHSAA. His voice has been heard by thousands, and the memories he has provided through his own special style of describing the game action has provided such special memories for literally thousands of our student-athletes and coaches, their families, and friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and to the many across our great state who had the opportunity to call Jerry their friend.”

Young had been serving as the “Voice” of the Thompson High School’s Warrior Nation Network at the time of his death. His commentary and play-by-play were heard by thousands over the last six seasons as Thompson’s football team won four Class 7A state championships and finished runner-up twice.

A statement released on Friday following his passing by Thompson High School and its Warrior Nation Network stated: “It is with deepest sadness and condolences that we announce the passing of Warrior Nation play-by-play man and ‘Voice of the Warriors,’ Jerry Young. Jerry gave countless hours of dedicated service to Thompson Athletics and the Warrior Nation Network. He helped Friday nights come to life for so many.”

Young began his broadcast career in 1982 with WKNU Radio in Brewton, calling football games for T.R. Miller High School. He also worked for WCKC in Milton (FL), handling play-by-play for Pace High School and Milton High School. He returned to Alabaster in 1997 and was sports director for WBIB Radio.

In 2012, he became Director of High School Sports for WZNN’s 97.3 FM Radio in Birmingham. He also developed a statewide scoreboard show at the time that was carried over 24 affiliates across the state. In recent years, he also has called many AHSAA state playoff games in multiple sports and became the NFHS Network’s go-to sportscaster at the drop of a hat in virtually every championship sports event offered — including baseball, softball, soccer, basketball, and football, among others. He also became a mentor and friend to many young broadcasters wanting to emulate him.

“Jerry Young was one of the best we had, and he would drop everything to help the NFHS Network and AHSAA if he could,” said NFHS Network vice-president Michael White. “No doubt he has been a Hall-of-Fame broadcaster.”

AHSAA Director of Communications Ron Ingram said Young will go down in history as one of the most important broadcasters in Alabama high school sports history.

“He sincerely loved the AHSAA and Alabama high school sports as much as anyone I can remember,” he said. “What made Jerry Young so special was that he cared deeply about every word he said. He wanted all who listened, especially those who had children competing, to know how proud he was to be telling their stories through the games they played.”

Thompson head football coach and athletic director Mark Freeman said, “I had a great, great relationship with him, and we are appreciative of the effort and just the professionalism of the way he broadcast our games. We are going to miss Jerry. I know Heaven is rejoicing. I told our athletic director that I know Jerry is in a great place now and, at the end of the day, that gives me peace.”

Visitation for Mr. Young’s family and friends will be held beginning at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 16, at Southern Heritage Funeral Home at 475 Cahaba Valley Road in Pelham, Alabama. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at the Southern Heritage chapel.