A. S. "Doc" Young

Andrew Spurgeon "Doc" Young (October 29, 1919 – September 6, 1996) was an American sports journalist and author. He was also one of the first African American publicists working in Hollywood.[2] Throughout his career he received numerous honors from the National Newspaper Publishers Association.[3]

This article is about the sportswriter. For a founder of the National Football League, see Doc Young. For other people named Andrew Young, see Andrew Young (disambiguation).

A. S. "Doc" Young
Born
Andrew Spurgeon Young

(1919-10-29)October 29, 1919[1]
Dunbrooke, Virginia
DiedSeptember 6, 1996(1996-09-06) (aged 76)[1]
Los Angeles, California
EducationHampton Institute
OccupationJournalist, writer
Notable credit(s)
Chicago Defender
Ebony Magazine
Los Angeles Sentinel
Spouse(s)Hazel M. Young
ChildrenNorman Gregory Young, PhD; Brenda L. Young, Esq.
RelativesRuth Y. Wilson, sister

Background

Andrew Spurgeon Young was born in Dunbrooke, Virginia, the eldest child of Andrew P. Young and Gertrude Norman. In 1941, he graduated from Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) with a bachelor's degree in business administration. While a student at Hampton, he served as editor of the school newspaper.[3]

Career

As a young man, he was influenced by the work of Frank A. (Fay) Young (no relation), the first African American to have a weekly sports column.[4]

In the 1950s, he served in several top editorial positions at Jet Magazine and Ebony Magazine. He also worked in editorial positions at the Los Angeles Sentinel and the Chicago Defender.[3]

Young also has the distinction of being the first black publicist in Hollywood. He worked as a unit publicist on the films The Defiant Ones and Kings Go Forth.[2]

Additionally, Young is the author of several books, including Negro Firsts in Sports (Johnson Publishing Company, 1963).[3]

Death

Young died in 1996 from pneumonia in Los Angeles.[3]

References
  1. "Social Security Death Index [database on-line]". United States: The Generations Network. Archived from the original on October 7, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2010.
  2. Reynolds, J. R. (February 18, 1995). "The rhythm and the blues: Boyz II Men are top soul train nominees; BET special spotlights pioneer publicist". Billboard. New York City: BPI Communications: 20.
  3. Flanagan, Sylvia P., ed. (September 30, 1996). "A.S. 'Doc' Young, Noted Journalist-Author, Dies". Jet. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. 90 (20): 60.
  4. Young, A.S. (Doc) (October 1970). Johnson, John H. (ed.). "The black sportswriter:The Black athlete in the golden age of sports-part IX". Ebony. Chicago, Illinois: Johnson Publishing Company, Inc. 25 (12): 56–58, 60–62, 64.


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