24TH SPORTS MEDIA CANADA ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS HONOURS BESTOWED ON THE CLASS OF 2019

By JOHN IABONI

Terry Leibel, a trailblazer for women sportscasters through her brilliant 28-year career (1980-2008) with CBC-TV Sports and TSN (The Sports Network), received the 2019 George Gross-Don Goodwin Award for Career Achievement to cap the 24th Sports Media Canada Achievement Awards Luncheon.

Leibel was the first woman to host a national sports program (Sportsdesk with the launch of TSN in 1984), the first woman to co-host CBC-TV’s coverage of the Olympics (beginning with the 1996 Summer Games in Atlanta) and the first female sportscaster to capture a Gemini Award for outstanding broadcasting (in 2003).

Terry Leibel, middle, receives her Career Achievement award from Mary Hynes and Brian Williams.

 

Her excellence inspired many women to pursue and succeed in Canadian sports broadcasting, including our 2019 luncheon master of ceremonies, Jennifer Hedger of TSN.

The Fairmont Royal York’s venerable Imperial Room once again served as the setting for the event on November 14th. In addition to Leibel, Masai Ujiri (Sports Executive of the Year), Mark Blinch (Photography), Michael Grange (Sportswriting), Matt Devlin (Broadcasting) and Randy Tieman (Posthumous Honour Roll) also received George Gross-Don Goodwin awards.

The President’s Award was presented to the wife-and-husband team of Fay Olson and Don Vickery.

Here is a recap of our 24th awards luncheon.

2019 SMC PRESIDENT’S AWARD 

Recipient: Fay Olson and Don Vickery for their long-time contributions to sports media – Fay in sports marketing/sports event management/media relations and Don in photography – as well as their commitment to the Sports Media Canada Achievement Awards Luncheon – Fay in the Organizing Committee and hospitality and Don as the leader/drummer for the Sports Media Canada Orchestra. 

Introduced by: Steve McAllister, Sports Media Canada President & Luncheon Co-Chair 

Trophy presented by: Rosemary Goodwin, wife of Sports Media Canada co-founder Don Goodwin 

Intro soundbite Steve McAllister: “We’re honouring today two people with whom I would call ‘The First Couple’ of our luncheon … Since our inaugural achievement awards in 1996, Fay Olson and Don Vickery have been fixtures at our luncheon, gracing us with their smarts, respective talents, their passion, their class and their congeniality.” 

Recipient soundbite Fay Olson: “This is a real honour for both of us especially because although neither of us is actually a sports journalist, our chosen careers have allowed us to be involved in the background of professional sports for so long now … we are deeply grateful for this award.” 

Recipient soundbite Don Vickery: “It was Don Goodwin who had the idea, he said ‘Why don’t you shoot (photograph) the dinner and the come put a band together to play the luncheon?’ I said, ‘Sounds good to me’ and we’re still here after more than 20 years.”

 

2019 SMC GEORGE GROSS-DON GOODWIN AWARD

SPORTS EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR 

Recipient: Masai Ujiri, President, 2019 NBA champion Toronto Raptors (a record-tying second time in this category after earning it in 2016) 

Introduced by: Matt Devlin, Toronto Raptors play-by-play Sportsnet/TSN/NBA-TV Canada 

Intro soundbite Matt Devlin: “This team was a reflection of Masai Ujiri … they played hard, they competed and they brought an entire country together. He is so deserving of this award.” 

Recipient soundbite Masai Ujiri (via video as he was out of the country and unable to attend): “Thank you Sports Media Canada for such an incredible award. I am super, super excited about this. This has been a huge, huge period for the Raptors and our organization … Go Raptors … I know I always say we will win in Toronto – and will continue to win in Toronto.”

 

2019 SMC GEORGE GROSS-DON GOODWIN AWARD

OUTSTANDING PHOTOGRAPHY

Recipient: Mark Blinch, NBA and NHL via Getty Images

Introduced by: John Iaboni, Sports Media Canada Executive Vice-President and Luncheon Co-Chair

Trophy presented by: George Gross Jr., son of Sports Media Canada co-founder George Gross

Intro soundbite John Iaboni: “Mark Blinch shot what many have called the sports picture of the year – and one for all time – frozen in time we see all the anticipation in the faces and bodies as they wait for Kawhi Leonard’s miracle series-winning hoop turn the tension into a delirious celebration.”

Recipient soundbite Mark Blinch: “I want to thank two previous award winners of this award who were my mentors who sadly passed away before their time – Mike Cassese and Shaun Best. I remember coming to the luncheons when they were honoured so it’s pretty amazing to be up here receiving the same award as them.”

 

2019 SMC GEORGE GROSS-DON GOODWIN AWARD

OUTSTANDING SPORTSWRITING

Recipient: Michael Grange, Sportsnet

Introduced by: Bruce Arthur, recipient of this award in 2012

Trophy presented by: Lori Ewing, recipient of this award in 2016

Intro soundbite Bruce Arthur: “Michael Grange is one of the most generous guys I’ve met in the business in terms of compliments, public praise, advice and time. He doesn’t have to do that. That’s not a habit; that’s a choice … I know he’s earned this.”

Recipient soundbite Michael Grange: “I honestly can’t believe I’m here … On an occasion like this, surrounded by so many friends and colleagues and, most importantly, my family I can honestly say I’m so glad I stuck with it; it’s been an incredible ride.

 

2019 SMC GEORGE GROSS-DON GOODWIN AWARD

OUTSTANDING BROADCASTING

Recipient: Matt Devlin, Toronto Raptors play-by-play Sportsnet/TSN/NBA-TV Canada

Introduced by: Jack Armstrong, Raptors analyst TSN and Leo Rautins, Raptors analyst Sportsnet

Trophy presented by: Jack Armstrong and Leo Rautins

Intro soundbite Leo Rautins: “Matty, this award is tremendous and you’re a phenomenal broadcaster but, guess what? It isn’t close compared to what kind of Dad you are.

Intro soundbite Jack Armstrong: “He’s a self-made man. He’s busted his tail to get where he’s gotten. It just doesn’t happen. He’s a grinder; he’s a worker; he’s paid his dues. He’s earned his success.”

Recipient soundbite Matt Devlin: “I know the times are changing and the industry changes but it is an unbelievable industry and to be in a room like this with all of you, it means so much to me and I want to thank each and every one of you. It is a great honour to have this award and call Toronto home.”

 

2019 SMC GEORGE GROSS-DON GOODWIN AWARD

POSTHUMOUS HONOUR ROLL 

Recipient: Randy Tieman, Sportscaster CTV-Montreal 

Introduced by: John Bartlett, Toronto Maple Leafs/NHL play-by-play Sportsnet 

Plaque presented by: Fred Walker, SMC Career Achievement recipient in 2014 and member SMC Achievement Awards Luncheon Organizing Committee 

Plaque accepted by: Randy Tieman’s son, Jesse 

Intro soundbite John Bartlett: “For 34 years he was a talented sports anchor on CTV-Montreal, originally CFCF, a colleague, a friend to so many and a father figure who set the bar of what a family man is for all of us … our gentle giant, our teddy bear, our honourary uncle.”

Recipient soundbite Jesse Tieman: “As much as I’d know he’d be up here and likely have a joke for all of you, and likely two as he liked to put a smile on everyone’s face this would mean a tremendous amount to him … it means a tremendous amount to our family.”

2019 SMC GEORGE GROSS-DON GOODWIN AWARD

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Recipient: Terry Leibel, Sportscaster CBC-TV and TSN 

Introduced by: Brian Williams, recipient of SMC Outstanding Broadcasting Award in 2001 and 2010, long-time associate with Terry Leibel for CBC-TV’s Olympics coverage as well as CBC’s Sportsweekend

Trophy presented by: Mary Hynes, respected sportswriter, current host of Tapestry on CBC Radio One, wife of the late Randy Starkman (SMC Outstanding Sportswriter honouree in 2010 & Career Achievement recipient in 2012)

Intro soundbite Brian Williams: “It is a thrill for me to introduce a respected colleague, a great friend and a pioneer in television, not just Canadian television but North American television … Terry accomplished so much because she was a journalist and not a cheerleader … You are indeed a professional and you are so deserving of this honour.”

Recipient soundbite Terry Leibel: On the trials and tribulations of her start at TSN in 1984 “I must tell you for the young women out there today who are in the industry, boy, you had to have a thick skin because people had never heard a female voice on a highlight package.” On some of the impressive women sportscasters present at this year’s event “To Jen (Hedger), thank you for the wonderful job you’ve done, along with Evanka Osmak (from Sportsnet) and I know a colleague of mine (from CBC-TV) Brenda Irving is back there, women that I greatly admire … well done … thanks for carrying the torch!”