Marvin West Appreciation

[DonDiego]

I was going to just name my thread Marvin West, but I figured I'd get fried for it. Marvin is alive and doing well, as far as I can tell. I just wanted to put his name out there. He is, what 91, 92? The man is an absolute treasure for Tennessee sports--especially football, but basketball too. Look up some of his old columns.

We all have a shelf life on this earth. Mine is drawing much closer to an end, and so is Marvin's. He will be missed in Big Orange Country much more than I will be when his time comes, so I hope we all celebrate his incredible contributions and legacy while he is still around to hold up his fist and say thanks to all who have appreciated his wonderful writing over the years.

Maybe saying thanks while someone is around to hear and enjoy it, and appreciate your appreciation is a good thing, right? Thanks Mr. West.

Mark my word, Derek Owings is significant addition - Knox TN Today

In the many and mostly exciting years of observing Tennessee football, the Phillip Fulmer undefeated season, that national championship, was the highlight. Being acquainted with Robert R. Neyland was a big deal for a country boy from Powell. The General called it Powell Station. Peyton Manning’s...

www.knoxtntoday.com

 

[DonDiego]

https://www.knoxfocus.com/columnist/what-a-man-thinks-when-he-thinks-he-is-going-to-die/

 

[UT Hill Man]

I am so glad I lived in a time when Marvin West banged out well written stories with journalistic integrity. He will always be the best.

 

[hbvol1982]

He has a unique writing style, and his knowledge of all things orange is rivaled by few. I hope his shelf life is extended…

 

[BruisedOrange]

He has a unique writing style, and his knowledge of all things orange is rivaled by few. I hope his shelf life is extended…

And one way we can extend his life is to keep holding young sports reporters to his standard. When we critique something they've said or written, point to someone who did it right, as an example.

It's one thing to be told I did something wrong. It's something else to be shown what to replace that with.

 

[Savannahbayvol]

https://www.knoxfocus.com/columnist/what-a-man-thinks-when-he-thinks-he-is-going-to-die/

I was sitting with Tom and Marvin when the camera incident happened. As I recall it was Reggie Harper who ran over the camera lady who probably weighed 85 pounds soaking wet.

Followed SEC sports for 70 years and Marvin, John Clay of the Lexington Herald Leader and Furman Bisher of the AJC were/are the Top 3 IMHO.

Clay coined the famous phrase after the Vols beat UK once again, ""the Kats, who never miss an opportunity to miss an opportunity."

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Have wondered why our newer outlets have not tried to add him in some capacity down through the years.

We were blessed by Siler, Byrd and West roaming the fields and courts. Since then not so much.

 

[LWSVOL]

Marvin wrote a couple of recruiting articles (2011 and 2014) and I answered some questions about recruiting he had.. Enjoyed the time with him and he was / is the greatest..

 

[onthehill71]

https://www.knoxfocus.com/columnist/what-a-man-thinks-when-he-thinks-he-is-going-to-die/

Marvin right with Tom Siler. One hell of an actual writer.

 

[Pie Jones]

Simply one of the best!

 

[volfan2024]

Nice tribute

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

Marvin wrote a couple of recruiting articles (2011 and 2014) and I answered some questions about recruiting he had.. Enjoyed the time with him and he was / is the greatest..

During a direct communication with him expressing my appreciation for his work through the years he had to straighten me out….. but he did so gracefully….. during our dialog I threw in I used to drive by his house in West Hills…. He had to let me know that was another Marvin West….. I believe it was either Bennington or Courtland drive, behind today’s Trader Joe’s. They crisscross and confused me even 60 years ago (nearly).

 

[TartanTurff]

Marvin West is one in a category of one and in a strata by himself when it comes to writing about all things University of Tennessee athletics related.

In my opinion, Marvin is a writer, always wrote about what he saw, what he heard and outlined his opinions when they were his opinions, never concerned about where his seat was in the press box, what access he had to decision makers, players, coaches or the like and the story was all about the subject of the story, it was never about him. In that context, it is easy to see why the current fleet of "sports journalists" covering all things orange at the University of Tennessee just don't measure up to the standards and journalistic benchmarks that Marvin West, Tom Siler, Ben Byrd set many years ago.

It's one thing to try and turn a dollar hawking all things Tennessee and profiting on perceived insider knowledge and unfettered access and status with the Tennessee athletics department, it's another to craft accurate, informative and insightful stories, articles, reports, summaries and written perspectives which will stand the test of time, time and time again.

 

[strkr]

I really enjoy reading Marvin's columns. He does a great job.