Plongeon Canada rend hommage au journaliste sportif Fred Walker
Fred Walker’s golden voice carried across the CBC Radio airwaves for more than three decades from major sporting events from around the globe.
He was known in so many sporting circles for his reporting on hockey to baseball, from tennis to swimming…and to diving.
Spending part of his career in Montreal, Walker frequented the Point Claire club and saw first-hand the growth and development of so many athletes who have helped shape Canada into a world diving power.
He covered diving in the lead-up and at multiple Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, Pan American Games, Canadian and World Championships.
Fred kept a close watch on a young Quebec diver for a few years and fought for more coverage of her as she climbed the ranks. In 1984, at the Los Angeles Games it culminated into one of Walker’s most memorable Olympic moments as a broadcaster – seeing the gold medal go around the neck of Sylvie Bernier in the Women’s 3-metre springboard.
He took the time to tell their stories as well as their results and he took the time to learn more of their story from the coaches and the leaders of the sport in Canada.
Linda Cuthbert, four-time national diving champion and Commonwealth Games gold medalist, recalls Fred’s character in his approach to reporting.
«He cared about the essence of sport and the people in it, and not just the big names. Fred felt genuine, like he cared; he wasn’t just talking to you to get a story. You could trust him to represent your story.»
DPC’s national officials program director and Pan Am gold medallist, Nancy Brawley dealt with Fred not only as an athlete and coach, but also as a colour commentator at the 1976 Olympics where she provided coverage with him during the opening and closing ceremonies as well as the diving events.
“Fred was such a warm and caring person with a true interest in the athletes and sports he covered,” says Brawley. “He was an educator as well, using his stories to enlighten the public about the sports he covered. He was also always there to give advice and help everyone to make the most of their interviews with the media.”
In his CBC Hall of Fame career, Walker was also a mainstay in hockey coverage providing play by play, hosting and reporting from many World Hockey Championships, NHL Games, Stanley Cup Play-offs and Finals and Olympic Hockey tournaments. He worked alongside the great Danny Gallivan on select NHL Games for CBC Radio. World Series baseball, Grand Slam Tennis, and the biggest swimming events in the world were also signature events for him.
Fred Walker was a three-time winner of the Doug Gilbert Award for Sportscaster of the year.
He generously lent his guidance and mentorship to his younger colleagues during his career and to many more long past his retirement from CBC in 1995.
Fred Walker passed away Friday, March 18th in Mississauga, Ontario. He was 82.