Bad News for Sports and Sports Media Canada

By Don Goodwin

We were shocked and saddened on Good Friday to learn of the sudden death of Sports Media Canada president George Gross — great friend of sport and to us all. George suffered a massive heart attack at his home and died instantly.

George Gross

George Gross


Toronto media carried the story extensively …. along with many touching ‘memoirs’ by friends and colleagues who shared George’s ‘early days’ in sport at the old Toronto Telegram through the founding of the Toronto Sun for which George served as founding and long time Sports Editor until this week which saw him still active as columnist and sport mover and shaker.

His passing is marked and mourned by sports organizations around the world including AIPS the International Sports Press Association of which George was a member and supporter for the past quarter century and served for a time as a Vice President and Chair of the Marketing Committee. George was also instrumental in bringing the annual AIPS Congress to Canada on three occasions, twice to Toronto and once to Quebec City.

The 2008 Sports Media Canada Achievement Awards presentation luncheon in October will be dedicated to George as a salute and celebration of his life and career. The Awards presented this year and in future years will carry his name.