Journalist
Orville Henry was a legendary sportswriter, editor and columnist in Arkansas for more than 60 years. He was the consummate journalist for the Arkansas Gazette, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, Donrey Media and, The Morning News of Northwest Arkansas. Henry served as the distinguished sports editor of the Arkansas Gazette for 46 years (1943-89) and gained nationwide recognition as THE authority on the Razorbacks. Television sports personality Beano Cook once observed that Henry had written more words about the Razorbacks than “Carl Sandburg did on Abe Lincoln.” He educated thousands of loyal readers about the intricacies of college football through his legendary Monday rehashes and also gained notoriety for his coverage of the Arkansas Travelers. Henry was a fixture at The Masters and considered one of the top golf writers in the nation. He inspired and fostered the careers of countless young men and women in journalism, public relations, and advertising. The press box at War Memorial Stadium is named in his honor in recognition of his career and his unrivaled body of work. Henry was recognized as a “Difference Maker” in the development of the Razorback athletic program and honored with the naming of Orville Henry Press Row at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. He was an eight-time recipient of the Arkansas Sports Writer of the Year award and a past president of the American Football Writers Association. Henry was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2001 becoming the first print journalist honored. He was honored posthumously with the Ernie Deane Award for excellence in journalism, the American Football Writers Association of America’s Bert McGrane Award, and the Arkansas Alumni Association’s Honorary Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. In 2007, Henry was the first sports writer inducted in the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame.
