Brad Pye Jr.

Brad Pye Jr. (June 11, 1931 – July 5, 2020) was an American sports journalist, broadcaster, and Los Angeles community activist. He was the first recognized African-American sportswriter in Southern California and the first African-American scout for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers. He was the sports director for several African-American radio stations and sportswriter for several local newspapers in the state. He was noted for utilizing his position to advocate equality for and recognition of African-American athletes and journalists.

Brad Pye Jr.
Born(1931-06-11)June 11, 1931
Plain Dealing, Louisiana, U.S.
DiedJuly 5, 2020(2020-07-05) (aged 89)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationSports journalist, broadcaster
Spouse(s)Eunice Prye
Children5

Early life

Pye was born in Plain Dealing, Louisiana, on June 11, 1931.[1] At the age of 12 he moved to Los Angeles by himself. He lived on Central Avenue on his own for four years, until his mother joined him. He went on to study at Jefferson High School, and worked as a shoe shiner, gas station attendant, and factory worker.[2]

Career

Pye served as sports director for major African-American radio stations KGFJ, KACE, KDAY, and KJLH, and was sports editor for the Los Angeles Sentinel for nearly 30 years.[3] He was also a regular sports columnist for the L.A. Watts Times, Compton Bulletin, and Inland Valley News newspapers.[3]

In 1961, Pye became the first African-American public relations staffer in Major League Baseball while working for the Los Angeles Angels.[2] He was also the first African-American administrator in the American Football League while serving under Commissioner Al Davis.[4]

In addition to his work in sports journalism, Pye was active in the Government of Los Angeles County and led a 24-year career working in multiple capacities. In 1987 he began working as a deputy under county supervisor Kenneth Hahn and was promoted to assistant chief deputy three months later.[5] He worked as a top deputy to Yvonne Brathwaite Burke after she succeeded Hahn as county supervisor in 1992.[5] With Burke's support, Pye launched a program to provide free year-round swimming instruction for kids, which continues today as the Aquatic Foundation of Metropolitan Los Angeles.[5][6]

In 1993, Pye became division chief of the Department of Children and Family Services and worked as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator and manager of the Disaster Services Section, the Exams/Recruitment Section, and the Health and Safety/Return to Work Section.[5] Pye also volunteered throughout the city of Los Angeles and was the first African-American president of the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks Board of Commissioners.

Legacy

Pye paved the way for the advancement of African-Americans to senior level positions within Los Angeles city and county government agencies.[3] In 2015, the City of Los Angeles named the gymnasium at Saint Andrews Recreation Center as the Brad Pye Jr. Athletic Center in honor of Pye's impact and contribution to the city and local residents.[3] Pye's papers are preserved at the University Library in Special Collections and Archives at California State University, Northridge.[1][7]

Personal life and death

Pye was married to Eunice Prye. Together, they had four daughters (Jill, Jenice, Jan, and Sharee) and one son (Brad III). Both his wife and son predeceased him.[2]

Pye died in his sleep on July 5, 2020,[8] at his home in Los Angeles. He was 89 years old.[2] He was buried in Inglewood Park Cemetery on July 22, 2020.[9]

References
  1. "Pye (Brad, Jr.) Collection". Online Archive of California. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  2. Morgan, Emmanuel (July 7, 2020). "Brad Pye Jr., first Black sports broadcaster in L.A. and civic leader, dies at 89". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
  3. Jackson-Fossett, Cora (July 2, 2015). "City Dedicates Brad Pye Jr. Athletic Center". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  4. Jackson-Fossett, Cora (June 27, 2013). "Brookins AME Salutes Brad Pye Jr". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  5. Jackson-Fossett, Cora (April 14, 2011). "Brad Pye to Leave County After 24 Years". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  6. "Community Article". Los Angeles Dodgers. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  7. "The Legacy of Brad Pye, Jr". Peek in the Stacks. California State University, Northridge. September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
  8. Brad Pye Jr., Trailblazing Sports Writer and Broadcaster, Passes Away Los Angeles Sentinel, July 5, 2020.
  9. Miller, Kenneth (July 23, 2020). "Brad Pye, Jr. laid to rest in Inglewood". Inglewood Today. Retrieved November 25, 2020.
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