Brad Pye Jr.

Brad Pye Jr.
Born (1931-06-11) June 11, 1931
United States
Occupation Sports journalist, broadcaster

Brad Pye Jr. (born June 11, 1931) was an African-American sports journalist and broadcaster in Los Angeles, California. He served as sports director for major African-American radio stations KGFJ, KACE, KDAY, and KJLH, and was sports editor for the Los Angeles Sentinel for nearly 30 years.[1] He was also a regular sports columnist for the L.A. Watts Times, Compton Bulletin, and Inland Valley News newspapers.[1]

In 1961 Pye became the first African-American public relations staffer in Major League Baseball while working for the Los Angeles Angels.[2] He was also the first African-American administrator in the American Football League while serving under Commissioner Al Davis.[3]

In addition to his work in sports journalism, Pye was active in the Government of Los Angeles County and led a 24-year career working in multiple capacities. In 1987 he began working as a deputy under county supervisor Kenneth Hahn and was promoted to assistant chief deputy three months later.[4] He also worked as a top deputy to Yvonne Braithwaite Burke when she replaced Hahn as county supervisor in 1992.[4] With Burke's support Pye launched a program to provide free year-round swimming instruction for kids, which continues today as the Aquatic Foundation of Metropolitan Los Angeles.[4][5] In 1993 Pye became division chief of the Department of Children and Family Services and worked as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator and manager of the Disaster Services Section, the Exams/Recruitment Section, and the Health and Safety/Return to Work Section.[4]

Pye also volunteered throughout the city of Los Angeles and was the first African-American president of the L.A. Department of Recreation and Parks Board of Commissioners.[1] He paved the way for the advancement of African-Americans to senior level positions within the department.[1] In 2015 the City of Los Angeles named the gymnasium at Saint Andrews Recreation Center the Brad Pye Jr. Athletic Center in honor of Pye's impact and contribution to the city and local residents.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Jackson-Fossett, Cora (July 2, 2015). "City Dedicates Brad Pye Jr. Athletic Center". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved February 2, 2016.
  2. ↑ Pleasant, Betty (February 11, 2004). "Brad Pye Jr. fought for racial equality on the fields of sport". WAVE Community Newspapers. Retrieved February 24, 2016 – via ZoomInfo.
  3. ↑ Jackson-Fossett, Cora (June 27, 2013). "Brookins AME Salutes Brad Pye Jr". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Jackson-Fossett, Cora (April 14, 2011). "Brad Pye to Leave County After 24 Years". Los Angeles Sentinel. Retrieved February 24, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Community Article". Los Angeles Dodgers. Retrieved 2016-02-25.
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