Longtime USA Today Sports Columnist Passes Away At 82
11/22/2024 05:55 PM
The sports media world lost a pioneer on Friday, as longtime USA TODAY sports columnist Rudy Martzke died at the age of 82.
Martzke was a columnist at the newspaper from 1982 through his retirement in 2005, establishing what is said to be America's first national sports media column.
Martzke was one of the first journalists to dedicate himself to the coverage of sports media, applying a depth and care to the beat that few have been able to replicate.
His column in USA TODAY often detailed the major sports media news of the time, including media rights deals and and the movement of personalities across outlets.
Martzke may have retired from the newspaper in 2005, but he remained active on the sports media beat, sharing stories, news and anecdotes until this very month on social media.
After Marzke's passing, several members of the sports media world are remembering him and offering condolences to his family.
"Very sad about the passing of the great Rudy Martzke. A friend, great sense of humor, bulldog reporter, fellow Badger (and a huge fan), sports media industry legend. Helped many a PR person (definitely me) and others across the industry with their careers…hurt a few, too," said NBC Sports' Greg Hughes.
"Gutted by passing of Rudy Martzke. All of us who cover Sports Media, owe a huge debt to this legendary reporter. When I started at USA TODAY, I was honored and flattered when he sought me out to tell me liked my work. I was walking on air. God Bless him and his family. RIP," said Front Office Sports' Michael McCarthy.
"When you saw this byline in USA TODAY Sports you knew it would be a must-read. Never had the chance to work w/ Rudy Martzke but met him after I joined ESPN. A legendary figure and a good man. Very sad to hear of his passing today," said ESPN's Bill Hofheimer.
"Rudy blazed a trail that forced most major market newspapers to cover sports television in ways it had never been covered before. Sports Executives as well as Broadcasters all religiously read his Monday columns. RIP Rudy "Toot" and much love to Mouse (his wife) and family that were always by his side," said longtime broadcaster Tim Brando.
"RIP the great Rudy Martzke. My high school sports broadcasting teacher would Xerox his columns and pass them out to the class. I read every one and followed him from there. If I couldn't cover a team professionally, I wanted to cover media. He was my influence," said Jeff Agrest of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Martzke's legacy will live on in the reporters, broadcasters and other journalists who read his work and were inspired. His decades of experience and knowledge on sports media proved to be an invaluable resource, making him one of the most well-respected sports journalists in the country.
Rest in peace to Rudy Martzke, and we send condolences to his friends, family and loved ones during this difficult time.
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