Don Wittman
October 9, 1936 – January 19, 2008
Inducted 1989
Primary Outlet
CBC
Don Wittman had a rare gift for live broadcasting. Known for his remarkable memory and natural presence on air, he could improvise entire 10-minute sportscasts from memory, delivering full game summaries with clarity and precision.
Born in Herbert, Sask., on Oct. 9, 1936, Wittman began his career in 1955 as a live radio news reporter in Saskatchewan, well before the advent of videotape. That early experience with live reporting shaped his approach and prepared him for the demands of live sports broadcasting.
In 1961, Wittman joined CBC Sports, launching a storied career that spanned 47 years. While he became a familiar voice on Hockey Night in Canada, Wittman’s versatility set him apart. During almost five decades, he covered 18 Olympic Games, 37 Grey Cup games and 30 Canadian curling championships. Known more commonly as “Witt,” he also called numerous Canadian Football League games and track and field events, as well as baseball, basketball and golf.
While covering the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in West Germany for CBC, Wittman and CBC colleague Bob Moir covered what became known as the Munich Massacre. Wittman and Moir crawled through a hole in a fence to gain access to the Olympic Village, where they could view the Israeli building where terrorists had taken members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage. They gave live radio reports while posing as medical staff of the Canadian Olympic team. Eleven hostages were killed.
CBC broadcaster Scott Oake, who worked alongside Wittman for more than 30 years, praised his talent and work ethic.
“He was brilliant, he never missed a thing,” he said. “His cadence was great. He was one of the best broadcasters ever.”
Wittman’s success was the result of both his talent and tireless preparation. He spent hours researching players, speaking with coaches and reporters and staying current with trades, statistics and storylines. He was known for building strong relationships across the sports world and for earning the trust of his sources.
Oake credited Wittman with creating a culture of preparation and professionalism at CBC Sports.
“I learned the value of preparation from Don.” he said. “His reputation for accuracy was legendary. Some even believed he had a photographic memory, often recalling names and plays from decades past without hesitation.”
Wittman won two ACTRA awards, was named Broadcaster of the Year in 2002 and was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also inducted into the CBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, the media wing of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
Wittman died from cancer on Jan. 19, 2008.
Don Wittman was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1989.
Born in Herbert, Sask., on Oct. 9, 1936, Wittman began his career in 1955 as a live radio news reporter in Saskatchewan, well before the advent of videotape. That early experience with live reporting shaped his approach and prepared him for the demands of live sports broadcasting.
In 1961, Wittman joined CBC Sports, launching a storied career that spanned 47 years. While he became a familiar voice on Hockey Night in Canada, Wittman’s versatility set him apart. During almost five decades, he covered 18 Olympic Games, 37 Grey Cup games and 30 Canadian curling championships. Known more commonly as “Witt,” he also called numerous Canadian Football League games and track and field events, as well as baseball, basketball and golf.
While covering the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in West Germany for CBC, Wittman and CBC colleague Bob Moir covered what became known as the Munich Massacre. Wittman and Moir crawled through a hole in a fence to gain access to the Olympic Village, where they could view the Israeli building where terrorists had taken members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage. They gave live radio reports while posing as medical staff of the Canadian Olympic team. Eleven hostages were killed.
CBC broadcaster Scott Oake, who worked alongside Wittman for more than 30 years, praised his talent and work ethic.
“He was brilliant, he never missed a thing,” he said. “His cadence was great. He was one of the best broadcasters ever.”
Wittman’s success was the result of both his talent and tireless preparation. He spent hours researching players, speaking with coaches and reporters and staying current with trades, statistics and storylines. He was known for building strong relationships across the sports world and for earning the trust of his sources.
Oake credited Wittman with creating a culture of preparation and professionalism at CBC Sports.
“I learned the value of preparation from Don.” he said. “His reputation for accuracy was legendary. Some even believed he had a photographic memory, often recalling names and plays from decades past without hesitation.”
Wittman won two ACTRA awards, was named Broadcaster of the Year in 2002 and was inducted into the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also inducted into the CBC Sports Hall of Fame in 2008, the media wing of the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1990 and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
Wittman died from cancer on Jan. 19, 2008.
Don Wittman was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1989.