CBC SPORTS HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES INDUCTEES FOR 2009
The CBC Sports Hall of Fame today announced that Maggie Davis, Danny Gallivan, Howie Meeker and Jim Thompson—all icons in sports broadcasting—have been elected for induction, Wednesday, Nov. 18, in this, the third annual event.
“We are proud to honour these four deserving individuals and are looking forward to welcoming them as members of the CBC Sports Hall of Fame,” said Scott Moore, executive director, CBC Sports. “These people represent the best of the best in on-camera personalities and behind-the-scenes brilliance—their contributions to sports broadcasting are countless.”
Maggie Davis began her broadcasting career in England in the 1950’s. In 1962, she moved to Toronto and began her career with the CBC, working as a secretary for legendary CBC Sports producer and Hall of Famer George Retzlaff. Four years later, she began scripting; her first event was the British Empire Games in Jamaica. Over the years, Davis covered various Olympics, beginning with the 1968 Games in Grenoble, France, and numerous Commonwealth Games, working largely with Don Brown and Jimmy Thompson. She then moved to Vancouver in 1975, where she worked largely with Rhonda Burnside. Even after she retired in 1995, she continued to freelance at both the Atlanta and Nagano Olympic Games. Davis currently resides in Toronto.
Danny Gallivan began his on-air career at CJFX in Antigonish, N.S. while attending St. Francis Xavier University. After two years of service in the Canadian Army, Gallivan became sports director in 1946 at CJCH Halifax. In 1950, he began providing commentary for the CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’S Montreal Canadiens broadcasts, and in 1952 he earned a permanent post in the broadcast booth alongside fellow CBC Sports Hall of Famer Dick Irvin. Gallivan became well-known for his colourful and unique descriptions of the action, using phrases such as “spinarama” and “cannonading drives,” endearing himself to audiences. The voice of the Habs retired after the 1983-84 season, having called play-by-play for more than 1,800 Canadiens games on radio and television. In his “retirement,” the East Coast native remained a member of the CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA team as a goodwill ambassador. In 1991, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters inducted Gallivan into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame for his distinguished contributions to sports broadcasting.
Howard “Howie” Meeker became a sportscaster after an illustrious career suiting up for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Over the course of eight seasons, he took home the Calder Trophy as Rookie of the Year in 1947, and hoisted four Stanley Cups. During the 1950’s, Meeker balanced his hockey career with also serving as a Member of Parliament. After getting behind the bench to coach his former team and later becoming general manager, the Kitchener, Ont. native joined CBC’S HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA as a colour commentator. A testament to his dedication to coaching, Meeker hosted Howie Meeker Hockey School, airing on CBC Television from 1973 to 1977. In 15 minute-long episodes, Meeker put a class of young skaters in St. John’s through their paces, teaching the fundamental skills needed to play hockey. During his broadcasting career, Meeker was an innovator, becoming the first commentator to utilize the telestrator to break down plays for the audience. He was honoured with the Foster Hewitt Award for “Excellence in Hockey Broadcasting” and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Broadcasters category.
Jim Thompson began working at CBC in Toronto as a script writer, trained by fellow inductee, Maggie Davis, following his graduation from the Radio and Television Arts program at Ryerson, in 1966. Over the years, Thompson worked on a number of sports events across the country and around the world. A big advocate for woman in sports broadcasting, Thompson was proud to hire several female employees, both in front of and behind the camera. A testament to the encouragement he showed to women in sport, The BLG Awards, established in 1993 to recognize the top female and male athletes from universities across Canada, changed the name of their women’s trophy to the Jim Thompson Trophy. In 1984, Thompson served as executive producer for CBC’s extensive coverage of the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, a major network undertaking. In that same year, Thompson began working for TSN, where he rose to become the president and general manager of TSN and Netstar Sports until his retirement in 2000. He also served a variety of sports organizations and committees, including the Hockey Hall of Fame Board, and the Canadian Special Olympics Board. Thompson came out of retirement to become Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee, where he worked until his passing. In 2002, Ryerson University honoured Thompson with an Alumni Achievement Award.
This November, these four inductees will join previously inducted legends: Don Wittman, Foster Hewitt, George Retzlaff, Joan Mead, Ted Reynolds, Ernie Afaganis, Geoff Gowan, Gordon Craig, Tom Fisk, Dick Irvin, Bob Moir and Fred Walker.
