Kirk Penton
Inducted 2019
Primary Outlet
Winnipeg Sun
Kirk Penton’s path to sports journalism began early and was inspired by a perfect mentor.
At just 16 years old, he was already writing a sports column for his hometown newspaper, The World-Spectator, in Moosomin, Sask. His bold predictions, such as calling a Detroit Red Wings’ victory in the 1995 Stanley Cup Final, often made waves. When the New Jersey Devils swept the series, Penton woke up to find 20 broomsticks planted in his front yard.
“All I could do was laugh,” he recalled.
Penton was inspired by his father, Bruce, who owned the World-Spectator and covered sports himself.
“Nepotism at its worst,” Bruce joked.
But Penton earned his way forward, studying communications and journalism at Marian University of Fond du Lac in Wisconsin on a partial golf scholarship. After graduating, he landed a job with the Brandon Sun covering sports, then moved on to roles with the Melfort Journal, Winnipeg Sun, Sun Media (Postmedia) and The Athletic. His passion for the craft was unwavering.
“I never had anything else in mind in my life from the time I was 15 years old and on,” he said. “I was always going to be in this business.”
In 2013, Penton was named Canadian Football League Reporter of the Year. He was known for his persistence, quick instincts and ability to break stories. One of his proudest scoops came in 2006, when he confirmed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ new coach by calling Doug Berry’s home and getting the tip from Berry’s daughter.
Penton shifted to covering business for Castanet Media in Kelowna, B.C, following his wife Sarah’s job opportunity at CBC Radio. The move gave him a fresh perspective on the industry.
“I found my interest in professional sports actually coming back, because I’m not covering it,” he said.
Kirk Penton was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2019.
At just 16 years old, he was already writing a sports column for his hometown newspaper, The World-Spectator, in Moosomin, Sask. His bold predictions, such as calling a Detroit Red Wings’ victory in the 1995 Stanley Cup Final, often made waves. When the New Jersey Devils swept the series, Penton woke up to find 20 broomsticks planted in his front yard.
“All I could do was laugh,” he recalled.
Penton was inspired by his father, Bruce, who owned the World-Spectator and covered sports himself.
“Nepotism at its worst,” Bruce joked.
But Penton earned his way forward, studying communications and journalism at Marian University of Fond du Lac in Wisconsin on a partial golf scholarship. After graduating, he landed a job with the Brandon Sun covering sports, then moved on to roles with the Melfort Journal, Winnipeg Sun, Sun Media (Postmedia) and The Athletic. His passion for the craft was unwavering.
“I never had anything else in mind in my life from the time I was 15 years old and on,” he said. “I was always going to be in this business.”
In 2013, Penton was named Canadian Football League Reporter of the Year. He was known for his persistence, quick instincts and ability to break stories. One of his proudest scoops came in 2006, when he confirmed the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ new coach by calling Doug Berry’s home and getting the tip from Berry’s daughter.
Penton shifted to covering business for Castanet Media in Kelowna, B.C, following his wife Sarah’s job opportunity at CBC Radio. The move gave him a fresh perspective on the industry.
“I found my interest in professional sports actually coming back, because I’m not covering it,” he said.
Kirk Penton was inducted into the Manitoba Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association Media Roll of Honour in 2019.