Jim Coleman
October 30, 1911 – January 14, 2001
Inducted 2008
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Tribune, The Canadian Press
Jim Coleman was a legendary sports journalist whose career spanned more than seven decades and left an indelible mark on Canadian sports media.
Born in Winnipeg on Oct. 30, 1911, Coleman began his reporting journey in 1931 at the Winnipeg Tribune, quickly earning a reputation for his vivid storytelling, encyclopedic sports knowledge and elegant prose. His approach, which often featured colourful anecdotes such as Grey Cup celebrations and insightful hockey coverage, became his hallmark.
Coleman rose to national prominence in 1950 as the first Canadian to have a syndicated sports column, distributed through Southam and The Canadian Press. He hosted The Jim Coleman Show on CBC-TV in the late 1950s and early ‘60s and later served as press secretary at Calgary’s Stampede Park. He wrote four books during his career, including Hockey Is Our Game and Long Ride On A Hobby Horse. He continued to publish weekly columns well into his 90s, even typing them on his trusty typewriter until the day he died.
His achievements earned him the Order of Canada in 1975, and inductions into several halls of fame, including the Hockey Hall of Fame (Elmer Ferguson Award), Canadian Football Hall of Fame media wing, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Canadian News Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jim Coleman was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2008.
Born in Winnipeg on Oct. 30, 1911, Coleman began his reporting journey in 1931 at the Winnipeg Tribune, quickly earning a reputation for his vivid storytelling, encyclopedic sports knowledge and elegant prose. His approach, which often featured colourful anecdotes such as Grey Cup celebrations and insightful hockey coverage, became his hallmark.
Coleman rose to national prominence in 1950 as the first Canadian to have a syndicated sports column, distributed through Southam and The Canadian Press. He hosted The Jim Coleman Show on CBC-TV in the late 1950s and early ‘60s and later served as press secretary at Calgary’s Stampede Park. He wrote four books during his career, including Hockey Is Our Game and Long Ride On A Hobby Horse. He continued to publish weekly columns well into his 90s, even typing them on his trusty typewriter until the day he died.
His achievements earned him the Order of Canada in 1975, and inductions into several halls of fame, including the Hockey Hall of Fame (Elmer Ferguson Award), Canadian Football Hall of Fame media wing, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Canadian News Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame.
Jim Coleman was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2008.