Multi-court Opens in Honor of Alumnus Eric Scott ’88

Scott was an Emmy award-winning photojournalist, an E&H alumnus, and a longtime WJZ-TV photojournalist known for his professionalism and friendly, outgoing demeanor. Scott passed away in 2020. He worked at WJZ-TV Baltimore for 25 years covering international stories, including the Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl win and the Winter Olympics in Japan. Scott was called on to cover every significant hurricane and snowstorm to hit the East Coast. Dr. Teresa Keller, a former communications professor emeritus and long-time friend and mentor of Scott, said that what Scott did with a camera was “art.”

Theresa LaMotte, Sereta Scott, Tonya Scott BurkeThe dedication in October was planned by the Director of Campus Recreation, Rakeem Rutherford. It included a symbolic net-cutting ceremony, representing the opening of the multi-court for all to use. Scott’s basketball teammates climbed the ladder and cut the net, accompanied by Scott’s family and Rutherford. The net-cutting was followed by the unveiling of a signpost for the multi-court that includes a short biography of Scott that honors his legacy.

Keller and fellow alumnus Major Warner ’91 spoke at the ceremony alongside Emory & Henry College President John W. Wells and Student Government Association Secretary of Student Activities Ryan Vaughan ’25.

Eric “was one of the few ‘Mount Rushmore’ people I knew,” Warner said, commenting on Scott’s outsized compassion. Warner and others in attendance at the dedication played on the Emory & Henry basketball team when Scott was captain. He was the first student to be named basketball team captain for four consecutive seasons.

Eric Scott ’88Eric “never told me about any hopes for his legacy or how he would like to be honored by the College, but I know that he loved this place, and he loved the people here. If you can welcome people onto this court and treat people with kindness every day, I know that you will be honoring his legacy,” Warner said.

After the dedication, a new net was hung in the hoop and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament was held in honor of Scott’s legacy. Seventy-five students competed in the tournament, and the champions were Tyler McKinney ’23, Raymond Morton ’23, Qyjuan Marsh ’24 and Darrion Allen ’23.