Former baseball player now pitches journalism to students

Journalism professor Roy Busby enrolled at North Texas after turning down a $1,000 signing bonus to pitch for the Cincinnati Reds in the '50s. That decision never took him to the World Series, but it eventually led him to a home-run career.

"It was really funny that I went from almost playing professionally to coming to a school that didn't have a baseball team at all," Busby says.

He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at North Texas before attending the University of Oklahoma for his doctorate.

Although he never planned to work in higher education, Busby has worked through the faculty ranks to full professor. He also worked in the university's administration under four different presidents for 13 years, serving as director of information, secretary to the Board of Regents, assistant to the president and vice president for university relations. He begins his 40th year at North Texas in September.

"I never intended to be doing what I'm doing today, but the good Lord has a way of looking out for you," Busby says.

Richard Wells, professor of journalism, says Busby is a good friend as well as a mentor.

"I think we all have seen Roy as a stalwart in the journalism department for years," Wells says. "He has a broad view of North Texas and the world. At North Texas, he's been a vice president, and he understands the university. In the media world, he clearly understands all that we do. He has a wide background in newspapers, public relations and marketing."

Busby also works as a consultant, advising corporate and nonprofit organizations in communications, marketing, advertising and public relations.

Athletics still plays a big role in his personal life.

Twice a year, his son and son-in-law take on Busby and his high school buddy for a two-on-two grudge basketball tournament.

Busby's wife videotapes the two-out-of-three-game competition, which the men watch later while eating and criticizing themselves.

"We'll cherish the memories of those basketball games down the road," Busby says.

He stays in shape for the biannual event by running, which he has done every day for the last 34 years. Although he has competed in several races, Busby says he reached his top speed the day he had an unexpected running partner.

"The fastest I ever ran was when a rabid skunk got after me," Busby says. "I had just come down a hill and had to turn around and go as fast as I could back up the hill. I knew he was right behind me, but I guess I outran him. I wish I had a clock on me that day, because I sure scooted up that hill."

BY JENNY MCCORMACK paiswri2@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Athletic director hired
• Campaign North Texas making a difference
• Payroll deductions available for capital campaign contributions
• Inauguration date nearing
• UNT, Addison form partnership to create first North Texas Jazz Festival
• Honors, Alumni, University Day April 27
• UNT to celebrate Earth Day
• Denton groups support engineering programs
• Search on for new head basketball coach
• UNT gives the gift of life
• Graduate Student Council offering four scholarships
• TAMS student places ninth in Intel Science Talent Search
• Staff awards presented at sack lunch
• Acclaimed poet to visit UNT April 13
• Inhouse@UNT awarded for publication improvements
• Ideas sought from UNT to rename Avenue D/E
• Faculty Senate April meeting set

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