Randy York was scheduled to turn 77 years of age on February 3. He came up six days short. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on January 28.
Known as a talented storyteller who connected with people, he “never met a stranger” and deeply loved his family and friends. He had a passion for life – full of humor, quick wit, warmth and a natural ability to make everyday moments fun.
Randy, a 1967 graduate of Alliance High School, was the first person to be inducted in the Alliance Public School Foundation Wall of Fame. It was my honor to write the nomination letter.
“I’m deeply touched and genuinely humbled to receive this honor,” York said. “My wife Linda and I are both proud that we grew up in Alliance, graduated from Alliance High School and we both believe that our hometown has to be among the finest communities in the country.”
Born and raised in Alliance, Randy shared every chapter of his life with his wife, Linda. They walked to school together in elementary school, dated in high school, went to college together, married in 1970 and had two daughters. Their bond carried him through a remarkable career that spanned journalism, corporate communications and, ultimately, a celebrated return to Husker athletics.
Randy also wrote for the Alliance Times-Herald when he was a student at Alliance High School.
Randy graduated from the University of Nebraska and began his journalism career at the Lincoln Journal Star, where he spent 18 years as a sports columnist. His talent for elevating everyday moments into unforgettable stories earned him six Nebraska Sportswriter of the Year awards, a testament to both his craft and his connection to the athletes and coaches he covered.
His voice became a trusted companion to fans across the state. As the Journal Star’s prep sports editor, Randy hosted Prep Panorama, co-hosted Nebraska’s first sports talk radio show on KLMS and contributed commentary to KFOR and KLIN. His statewide rankings and features were syndicated across Nebraska newspapers. Perhaps his favorite piece of work was co-authoring a biography of Nebraska football legend, Bob Devaney.
One of my favorite Prep Panorama columns was when Randy wrote a farewell tribute to the NU Coliseum in 1975, the last year that the old barn would host the (then) four championship contests of the Nebraska High School boys’ basketball tournament.
Next in his career, Randy brought his storytelling gifts to Sprint in Kansas City, where he spent 22 years in corporate communications. There, he led major publications, including the company’s annual report, and earned the prestigious Gold Quill Award for a special publication honoring Sprint employees’ heroic efforts during the 9/11 crisis.
In 2007, Randy returned to Lincoln as an Associate Athletic Director at the university. His passion project was authoring “The N-Sider,” the official blog of Nebraska Athletics, for nearly a decade. He loved giving friends and family tours of the athletic facilities – especially taking his grandchildren out on the football field.
While working for the NU athletic department, Randy was a weekly guest of mine on the Friday Night High School Football Scoreboard Show that I hosted at on KCOW.
In February 2013, the final year that the NU men’s basketball team played in the Devaney Center, I was Randy’s guest at the game. He invited me to his home prior to the contest, and we enjoyed long conversations before, during and after the game. Our discussions included everything from Randy growing up in Alliance to his belief that NU coach Tim Miles would turn the Huskers into a championship program. Prior to the basketball game, Randy gave me a tour of the locker rooms at Memorial Stadium.
Ultimately, his words connected people. His kindness uplifted all those who were lucky enough to know him. Randy will be deeply missed, profoundly remembered and forever in our hearts.
Randy’s Celebration of Life was held on February 10 at Church of the Resurrection’s Wesley Chapel, in Leawood, Kansas.
I sat close to Randy during Mike Garwood’s funeral at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Alliance in December 2007. What I remember most was observing Randy in deep silent prayer for Mike and his family.
Today, our prayers are with Randy and his family.