Bob Irving
Inducted 1995
Primary Outlet
CJOB
Bob Irving was born in Lestock, Sask., and raised in Regina, where he graduated from Balfour Technical High School and attended the University of Saskatchewan.
After only one year of studies, he left university to pursue a career in broadcasting and was inspired and mentored by on-air staff at CKCK in Regina.
Irving’s first radio job was in 1969 at CJSL in Estevan, Sask. He soon moved to CKX in Brandon, Man., where he gained experience in both radio and television. A turning point came during a pre-season Winnipeg Jets game in Brandon, when Irving worked colour commentary alongside CJOB Radio sports director Ken Nicolson. That connection led to an opportunity at CJOB in Winnipeg, where Irving joined the sports department in September 1973 – a station he would call home for almost five decades.
When CJOB regained the radio rights to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1974, Irving was promoted to play-by-play announcer, fulfilling his dream job. He became the voice of the Bombers, a role he held for most of the next 47 years. He called more than 800 games and became one of the most-recognizable figures in Canadian football broadcasting. He also contributed national Canadian Football League coverage on TV through the Canadian Football Network from 1987-90.
Irving’s versatility extended beyond the gridiron. He provided World Hockey Association and National Hockey League play-by-play, covered 13 Briers with award-winning curling commentary and called the baseball finals at the 1997 Pan American Games. He also edited and co-wrote Blue and Gold: 75 Years of Bomber Glory, a best-selling book nominated for a Manitoba Historical Society award in 2005.
Off the air, Irving served as a mentor to aspiring broadcasters and was a tireless contributor to countless charitable and community causes. He held leadership roles with organizations that included the Football Reporters of Canada, the Canadian Curling Reporters, the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association and served as board chairman of the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation for six years.
In 2013, the Winnipeg Football Club honoured Irving by naming the Investors Group Field media centre the Bob Irving Media Centre. The Bombers also added Irving’s name to its Ring of Honour in 2021.
Among his many accolades are the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba Broadcast Excellence Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal and inductions into the media wings of the Canadian Football and Manitoba Football halls of fame. He also received the prestigious Order of Manitoba. Irving always credited the province as the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Bob Irving was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1995.
After only one year of studies, he left university to pursue a career in broadcasting and was inspired and mentored by on-air staff at CKCK in Regina.
Irving’s first radio job was in 1969 at CJSL in Estevan, Sask. He soon moved to CKX in Brandon, Man., where he gained experience in both radio and television. A turning point came during a pre-season Winnipeg Jets game in Brandon, when Irving worked colour commentary alongside CJOB Radio sports director Ken Nicolson. That connection led to an opportunity at CJOB in Winnipeg, where Irving joined the sports department in September 1973 – a station he would call home for almost five decades.
When CJOB regained the radio rights to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1974, Irving was promoted to play-by-play announcer, fulfilling his dream job. He became the voice of the Bombers, a role he held for most of the next 47 years. He called more than 800 games and became one of the most-recognizable figures in Canadian football broadcasting. He also contributed national Canadian Football League coverage on TV through the Canadian Football Network from 1987-90.
Irving’s versatility extended beyond the gridiron. He provided World Hockey Association and National Hockey League play-by-play, covered 13 Briers with award-winning curling commentary and called the baseball finals at the 1997 Pan American Games. He also edited and co-wrote Blue and Gold: 75 Years of Bomber Glory, a best-selling book nominated for a Manitoba Historical Society award in 2005.
Off the air, Irving served as a mentor to aspiring broadcasters and was a tireless contributor to countless charitable and community causes. He held leadership roles with organizations that included the Football Reporters of Canada, the Canadian Curling Reporters, the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association and served as board chairman of the Manitoba Heart and Stroke Foundation for six years.
In 2013, the Winnipeg Football Club honoured Irving by naming the Investors Group Field media centre the Bob Irving Media Centre. The Bombers also added Irving’s name to its Ring of Honour in 2021.
Among his many accolades are the Broadcasters Association of Manitoba Broadcast Excellence Award, the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Medal and inductions into the media wings of the Canadian Football and Manitoba Football halls of fame. He also received the prestigious Order of Manitoba. Irving always credited the province as the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Bob Irving was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1995.