Eric Montross, former University of North Carolina basketball star under legendary Coach Dean Smith, member of the 1993 NCAA National Championship team, and an analyst and sports commentator for the Tar Heels Sports Network for 18 years was recently elected posthumously as a member of the 2024 Class to the North Carolina Media and Journalism Hall of Fame, joining former Post publisher Jimmy Hurley and former editor Rose Post.

Montross’ son Andrew and daughter Sarah accepted the award on his behalf.  

Montross, who died in 2023 at age 51, was also an ambassador for the UNC Educational Foundation, Rams Club and the UNC Lineberger Cancer Center.  

In announcing Montross’ induction, he was described, “As fiercely competitive as he once was on the court, the story of Eric Montross’ life is one of kindness and compassion, of helping others, especially the youngest among us.  He was indefatigable, kind, authentic, the model of a good man and he found joy in everything he did. He became adept at describing and reporting — with heart and humor — the kind of news he once made himself:  of athletes performing at the top of their games.  In every way imaginable, Eric Montross was larger than life.”  

In addition to local Hall of Fame members Hurley and Post, Montross joins other nationally recognized journalists and commentators David Brinkley, Charles Kuralt and Roger Mudd as past honorees. 2024 inductees also included J.J. Carter, Skip Foreman, Melanie Sill and Ami Vitale. 

The UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media at Chapel Hill hosted the induction ceremony and was also recognized as one of the most prestigious schools in the nation, winning 8 of the past 9 national championships in collegiate journalism.