Long-time CoSIDA member and athletic communications director Norm Reilly, UAB Associate AD, passed away Feb. 12 at the age of 56 after a long battle with cancer. Reilly served in sports information at UAB since 2002 and prior to that, at East Carolina and his alma mater, the University of Georgia.
Photo in graphic: Reilly pictured with his wife, Leslie.
Information courtesy of UAB Athletics
Also see: 'He defied the odds': longtime UAB associate athletic director Norm Reilly passes away after battling cancer, by Drew Champlin, www.al.com
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- University of Alabama at Birmingham Associate Athletic Director Norm Reilly passed away at home Friday following a long battle with cancer. He was 56.
Reilly joined the UAB staff in 2002 as assistant athletics director for media relations and was named associate athletics director in 2005.
"For 14 years, Norm led our sports information team with admirable dedication," said Director of Athletics Mark Ingram. "His commitment to his job, and more importantly to the people around him, was inspiring."
Norm mentored and managed the Athletics Communications team and served as the primary media contact for UAB Football, among other sports.
"Norm loved UAB Football, and UAB Football loved Norm," said UAB Head Football Coach Bill Clark. "He was the kindest person you could ever meet, and we will miss him and what he did for our young men and our team dearly. He's in a better place.
Head Softball Coach Marla Townsend says the UAB Athletics staff, with people like Norm, is more than an Athletic Department. It is a family in which Reilly was beloved.
"Norm was above all else a family man," Townsend said. "He loved to talk about his sons, Trey and Graham, and all of their accomplishments. That family mentality is one of the reasons he fit in so well at UAB. We are a close knit family. I count it a pleasure to have worked side by side with Norm and have him part of our family for 14 years. His friendship will be greatly missed, but his inspiration will live on forever.
"He was a great ambassador for UAB Athletics. Norm touched and inspired so many lives during his time at UAB and always recruited outstanding individuals with such a passion for sports information."
UAB Volleyball Coach Kerry Messersmith says Reilly has been a consistent strength to her and other UAB Athletics staff through their own challenges and losses.
"Seeing him fight every day, and how he has carried himself over these last eight years, has been inspiring," she said. "He got up every morning, loved UAB and supported us all no matter what was going on in his life. He was a great friend who accomplished a tremendous amount in his short life."
Prior to UAB, Reilly spent a year as director of communications and public relations at the National Senior Games Association and five years as assistant athletics director for media relations at East Carolina. Reilly spent 15 years in the Sports Information office at the University of Georgia before ECU.
Reilly graduated from the University of Georgia in 1980 and attended graduate school at Georgia in public relations. Outside of college athletics, Reilly was involved with six Olympic Games, working for the host television broadcaster.
"His passion for sports was unmatched, and he has so many unbelievable opportunities over the years," Townsend said. "Great men always earned great opportunities. I loved listening to his many stories about his experiences with the Olympics. My goodie package from Sochi will forever hold a special place in my heart."
Reilly was a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America, the Football Writers Association of America, and the United States Basketball Writers Association. He was named a 2006 recipient of the Scoop Hudgins Outstanding SID Award by the All-America Football Foundation. In July of 2007, Reilly was honored at the annual CoSIDA Workshop in San Diego as he received the organization's 25-Year Award.
Reilly is survived by his wife, Leslie, and two sons, Trey and Graham. The Reilly family and UAB Athletics are planning services and special recognitions.