Jim Huber Passes

Jim Huber, the likable, literate sports broadcaster known for his work at CNN and TNT died Monday at the age of 67. Mr. Huber was recently diagnosed with acute leukemia.

"A terrific Emmy Award-winning journalist and essayist, Jim made so many contributions during his more than 27 years with our company," David Levy, Turner's president of sales, distribution and sports, said in a statement.

Mr. Huber served as an anchor for CNN/Sports Illustrated until joining Turner Sports full-time in 2000. At his latter position he covered golf and the National Basketball Association.

Mr. Huber was known for his erudite daily essays, especially during the PGA Championship. This year he had a personal affinity for the site of the year's final major, Atlanta Athletic Club, where he was a member and which TNT served as a broadcast partner.

Mr. Huber was born August 28, 1944, and attended Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. and returned home to Ocala, Fla., where he became a stringer for the Ocala Star-Banner. He graduated from Central Florida Community College in 1964. Mr. Huber was a newspaper reporter for the Tallahassee Democrat and Lakeland Ledger before covering team beats at the Miami News and Atlanta Journal.

In 1996, he won an Emmy for his essay on the Olympic Park bombing during the Atlanta Games. In addition to an Emmy, Mr. Huber received six Sportscaster of the Year awards from The Associated Press.

Mr. Huber wrote three books, including last year's "Four Days in July," which chronicled Tom Watson's heroic effort to win the 2009 British Open championship at the age of 59.

In one of Mr. Huber's poetic essays, he wrote of Rory McIlroy's emergence in the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional: "There comes a moment - and you'll remember where you were forever - when the golf world shifts just a bit, and a new order steps up.

"It came when Tiger Woods won the '97 Masters, by a dozen shots. It came at Congressional Country Club, this Father's Day Sunday, when Rory McIlroy charged through the golfing void and made U.S. Open history."

John Kim of PGA.com wrote on Monday: "Jim's award-winning talent to write, host and moderate was well known - but his passion for golf, playing, watching and promoting golf was something that the PGA of America and PGA.com will always hold near and dear."

"Jim's passing is particularly difficult to us at The PGA who called him a friend," said PGA of America CEO Joe Steranka, who has known Mr. Huber since the mid-1980s. "Few people have the ability to relate the passion and drama of sports to the masses; Jim was such a person. We will miss him greatly."

Mr. Huber is survived by his wife Carol and son Matt. Services are pending.

Added Levy: "The Turner Broadcasting family suffered a great loss and we are saddened by the passing of our colleague and friend, Jim Huber. He was a gentleman and wonderful individual and will be deeply missed. We send our condolences to his wife, Carol, and son, Matt."

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