Jack Matheson
July 25, 1924 – January 24, 2011
Inducted 1988
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Tribune, CJOB
John (Jack) Matheson, known affectionately as “Matty,” was a legendary figure in Manitoba sports journalism.
Over the course of a career that spanned both print and radio, he became one of the most respected and beloved voices in Canadian sports media.
Matheson began his career in 1946 as a sportswriter for the Winnipeg Tribune. He was later promoted to sports editor in 1959, a position he held until the newspaper ceased publication in 1980. During his time at the Tribune, he was known for his relaxed editorial approach and supportive leadership.
“Matty wasn’t over our shoulder on our pieces,” recalled former colleague Gregg Drinnan. “He worked during the day looking over our pieces to see if we forgot anything, but never made any big changes that would make the story sound different.”
Matheson developed a strong following among readers, with many buying the paper specifically for his columns.
“Matty was a huge name in Winnipeg,” said Drinnan. “A lot of people bought the Tribune because they loved Matty.”
Before the Tribune closed, Matheson had already started broadcasting, co-hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hot Line football program on CJOB Radio. Following the paper’s closure, he moved into a full-time role at CJOB, where he continued to cover the Blue Bombers, curling and hockey games for many years.
Matheson’s contributions were widely recognized across the Canadian sports landscape. He was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame media wing, the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He also received the prestigious CFL Commissioner's Award for meritorious service in 1991 and won the Scotty Harper Memorial award for the best national curling story four times.
He was a founding member of the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. His legacy continues through the association’s Jack Matheson Award, which is presented annually to a promising student pursuing a career in sports journalism. The award was named in his honour to recognize his early and ongoing support of the Creative Communications program at RRC Polytech, as he gave many Red River College graduates their start.
Jack Matheson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1988. He passed away on Jan. 24, 2011, at age 86.
Over the course of a career that spanned both print and radio, he became one of the most respected and beloved voices in Canadian sports media.
Matheson began his career in 1946 as a sportswriter for the Winnipeg Tribune. He was later promoted to sports editor in 1959, a position he held until the newspaper ceased publication in 1980. During his time at the Tribune, he was known for his relaxed editorial approach and supportive leadership.
“Matty wasn’t over our shoulder on our pieces,” recalled former colleague Gregg Drinnan. “He worked during the day looking over our pieces to see if we forgot anything, but never made any big changes that would make the story sound different.”
Matheson developed a strong following among readers, with many buying the paper specifically for his columns.
“Matty was a huge name in Winnipeg,” said Drinnan. “A lot of people bought the Tribune because they loved Matty.”
Before the Tribune closed, Matheson had already started broadcasting, co-hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Hot Line football program on CJOB Radio. Following the paper’s closure, he moved into a full-time role at CJOB, where he continued to cover the Blue Bombers, curling and hockey games for many years.
Matheson’s contributions were widely recognized across the Canadian sports landscape. He was inducted into the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame, the Canadian Football Hall of Fame media wing, the Canadian Curling Hall of Fame, the Manitoba Basketball Hall of Fame and the Canadian Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He also received the prestigious CFL Commissioner's Award for meritorious service in 1991 and won the Scotty Harper Memorial award for the best national curling story four times.
He was a founding member of the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association. His legacy continues through the association’s Jack Matheson Award, which is presented annually to a promising student pursuing a career in sports journalism. The award was named in his honour to recognize his early and ongoing support of the Creative Communications program at RRC Polytech, as he gave many Red River College graduates their start.
Jack Matheson was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 1988. He passed away on Jan. 24, 2011, at age 86.