As boyhood dreams go…sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t. In Joe Bowen’s case, his dream at age 16, was to be the next Johnny Bower, tending goal for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Now, this wasn’t such a far-fetched idea given that he was already a goalie in high school. With a little encouragement … [Read More
2012 Rod Smith
Rod Smith was recognized with the Outstanding Broadcasting Award for his exceptional work calling the aquatic events at the 2012 Olympic Games. What’s amazing is that Smith had never described a swimming race before going to London. Then again, he admits that two years earlier he called the exciting speed skating races at the Winter … [Read More
2011- James Duthie
James Duthie has met and interviewed countless celebrities and sports figures over his 23-year career. He has played Alex Ovechkin (in a hockey video game and lost); written a couple of books, one with the title, “The Day I (almost) killed two Gretzkys”. Duthie is known for injecting humour frequently into his work. But really, … [Read More
2010 Brian Williams
Who knew? Well, as it turned out, Brian Williams seemed to. At any rate, he called it. He did predict that Canada would capture 26 medals at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Not mid-way through the Games when Canadian athletes began their medal haul in earnest…but a month before the Games even began. He was … [Read More
2009 – Jim Hughson
2009 Outstanding Broadcasting Jim Hughson By Fred Walker “I feel like a 20-year-old because I’ve finally got the best job in hockey.” After nearly 30-years covering and calling countless sporting events, that’s how B.C. (Fort St. John) native Jim Hughson describes his ascension to the elite ranks of hockey broadcasting in this country. It not … [Read More
2008 Ron MacLean
Ron MacLean by Fred Walker The Summer Olympic Games in Beijing were televised “live” by CBC and Ron MacLean was the network’s prime time host. In broadcast language “prime time” is defined as that time of the day between the hours of 7:00 and 11:00 p.m. It may have been prime time in the Eastern … [Read More
2005 Rod Black
ROD BLACK by Don Goodwin Rod Black, isn’t about to challenge Mike Weir — unless he gets a few strokes — but his golf game is in pretty good shape, as chronicled in a feature story on the 40-year-old lead sports commentator for TSN in a cover story in Ontario Golf News Magazine a couple … [Read More
2003 Jerry Howarth with Tom Cheek
JERRY HOWARTH with TOM CHEEK Complimenting Tom Cheek’s work in the broadcast booth is his partner of 22-years, Jerry Howarth. His association with the Blue Jays came innocently enough. In 1980 Jerry was sports director and talk show host at KWMS in Salt Lake City when he got a call asking him if he’d like … [Read More