The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications (UFCJC) announced the first two inductees into its new Sports@CJC Ring of Honor, which recognizes UF alumni, faculty and staff who have made outstanding contributions to the sports journalism, media and communications industries and positively represent the values and impact of the College and its sports program.
The inductees include the late Edward Aschoff, B.S. Journalism 2008 and Hall of Fame 2020, and the late John Wright, dean and professor emeritus at UFCJC. They were inducted during the College’s first Sports@CJC Sports Collective Symposium on March 2, 2023, an event featuring CJC alumni designed to inspire and inform students, emerging professionals and the Gator community about the future of the sports media and communication industry.
Aschoff was a respected college football reporter who passed away on Dec. 24, 2019 — his 34th birthday — after a brief illness. Aschoff started working for ESPN.com in 2011 as an SEC reporter. He moved to Los Angeles in 2017 for a more expanded reporting position that included television coverage. Aschoff reported for ESPN.com, SportsCenter, SEC Network and ESPN Radio, in addition to working as a sideline reporter during college football games for both radio and TV.
He received multiple awards throughout his career from the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA). In his honor, FWAA created the Edward Aschoff Rising Star Award to honor sports journalists under the age of 34. In addition, UFCJC created the Edward Aschoff Memorial Fund in his honor to support students at the College pursuing sports journalism.
During his 36 years at UFCJC, Wright served as dean, executive associate dean, associate dean for graduate studies, graduate coordinator, and interim department chair — the only person to have served in all of those roles at the College. He retired from the College in 2018.
Wright served as interim dean in 2007 and was dean of the College from 2007-2012. During his watch, CJC began its partnership with the University Athletic Association, moving GatorVision headquarters into Weimer Hall.
After stepping down as dean, he became the College’s inaugural director of Sports Journalism and Communications, where he worked with Journalism Department Chair Ted Spiker to design the popular Sports and Media specialization. Wright also taught multimedia sports reporting, created a sports podcasting class, and was a mentor to many students who had an interest in sports and media.
About the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications
The University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, recognized by its peers as one of the premier programs in the country, is driving innovation and engagement across the disciplines of advertising, journalism, public relations and media production and management. The college’s strength is drawn from both academic rigor and experiential learning. It offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and certificates, both online and on campus. CJC students have the opportunity to gain practical experience in the Innovation News Center, which generates content across multiple platforms, and The Agency, an integrated strategic communication and consumer research agency focused on marketing to young adults. The College includes seven broadcast and digital media properties, the Joseph L. Brechner Center for Freedom of Information and the nation’s only STEM Translational Communication Center and Center for Public Interest Communications.
For more information, contact Randy Bennett at rbennett@jou.ufl.edu, 352-273-1223.
