Michael Burns Jr.

John Siscos, the Director of Marketing, Communications, and Stakeholder Relations at Woodbine Entertainment Group/ORM/Ontario Racing, spoke highly of his friend and colleague Michael Burns Jr. being inducted into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame, calling it the “greatest thing of all time.” Siscos praised Burns for his exceptional work as the official photographer at Woodbine Racetrack, highlighting his outstanding action shots and training photographs. Burns is also known for his work with the Canadian Curling Association and has covered numerous Olympic Games and championships, earning several awards for his photography, including nine Sovereign Awards for outstanding achievement in thoroughbred racing.

Siscos emphasized Burns’ contributions to sports photography and his ability to capture the essence of sports moments, particularly in horse racing and curling. He mentioned Burns’ role in organizing photography coverage for major races at Woodbine, such as The Queen’s Plate and the Breeders’ Stakes. Siscos described Burns as an ambassador for the sport, known for his professionalism and dedication.

Burns, who grew up in the Markland Wood section of Etobicoke, followed in his father’s footsteps to become a renowned sports photographer. He has covered a wide range of sports events and has left a lasting impact on the sports photography industry in Canada.

Jerry Howarth

The great Jerry Howarth has announced his retirement after 36 years as the voice of the Blue Jays.

“Listening to a Blue Jays game on the radio will never be the same. Jerry delivered the game like no other. He was inducted into our Hall of Fame in 2000 and we could not be more proud to have someone like Jerry as part of our Hall. He has enriched the lives of so many and is a dear friend of mine. On behalf of our Hall I would like to extend a huge Congratulations to Jerry on an amazing career and wish him the very best on a happy and healthy retirement” says Joanne Noble, President & Chair of the Board of the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame.

As any fan of the Toronto BLue Jays knows, the name Jerry Howarth is as well known as any player in the league. And Jerry doesn’t even carry a bat. This long-time resident of Etobicoke has been the radio voice of the team since 1981.

Jerry grew up in San Francisco, California, and graduated from the nearby University of Santa Clara in 1960 with a degree in economics. He later met his wife Mary while they were both at Hasting Law School in San Francisco in 1971.

His early career in radio broadcasting took him to a number of cities and towns including Tacoma, Washington and Salt Lake City, Utah, where his sons Ben and Joe were born. Ben graduated from Purdue and Joe will graduate from Notre Dame.

Jerry’s first play-by-play broadcasting experience was covering the Tacoma Twins of the Triple-A baseball league. While in Washington, he also broadcast games for the University of Puget Sound football, baseball and basketball teams.

While in Utah in the late 1970s, Jerry served as assistant general manager of the Utah Pros of the Western Basketball Association and as a group sales manager for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association.

Jerry coached his sons in the Etobicoke Basketball Association from 1989 to 1997. He has also served as a volunteer basketball coach at Islington Middle School, Etobicoke Collegiate Institute and Martingrove Collegiate Institute.

He has also enjoyed working with the Canadian Special Olympics organization and the 65 Roses Sports Club, which helps raise funds to fight cystic fibrosis. Jerry and his family became Canadian citizens in 1994.

Trent Frayne

Trent Frayne, born in Brandon, Manitoba, is one of Canada’s most distinguished journalists, having written for all of Toronto’s major papers along with Maclean’s, Chatelaine, Sports Illustrated, and Saturday Evening Post magazines.

Trent began his illustrious career in 1938, writing for the Winnipeg Tribune. Since then, he has covered the Olympics, the Canada-Russia Summit series, Grey Cups, Stanley Cups, the Kentucky Derby, and boxing. Every so often, he would make a cameo appearance on radio or television.

Also to his credit are fourteen sports books, hundreds of magazine articles, and stints on radio and television.

He received the National Newspaper Award in 1975 for sports writing. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1988.

In 1990, Trent was honored as a life member by the Baseball Writers of America and was the first recipient of Brandon University’s Quill Award for Outstanding Achievement that same year.

Since then, he has been honored in the Manitoba Sports Hall of Fame and the Canadian News Hall of Fame.

Gino Reda

Reda arrived in Canada with his family in 1964. He lived in Toronto until he was 12, then moved to Etobicoke where he graduated from Kipling Collegiate Institute in 1979. While in high school, he played varsity football and wrestled. He’s an alum of the Ontario Bible College (now Tyndale University College and Seminary).

When he was still in high school (KCI), at 16 years of age, Reda began volunteering for a local cable company (MacLean Hunter) doing play-by-play for various sports including high school basketball, volleyball, soccer, hockey and wrestling.

As a 19-year-old, Reda and co-host Frank Giannone anchored a live weekly program called “CitySports”. During the two years of the program, the show won the North American Cable award for “Best Live Sports Programing.” Reda worked as a freelance play-by-play announcer for the Humber College Hawks, Junior B Hockey, Junior A box lacrosse, the Canadian National Soccer League and the Canadian National Gymnastics Championships between 1983 and 1987. In May 1986, Reda accepted a volunteer position as the field reporter covering the Toronto Blue Jays for Sportsline at Global Television in Toronto.

In September 1986, Reda was hired by Sportsline host Jim Tatti to a full-time position at Global. He joined TSN in the summer of 1988 as a reporter covering the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, Korea. He then covered the Dubin Inquiry throughout early 1989. He has been the host of That’s Hockey on TSN since 2001 after being on SportsCentre for the previous fourteen years. During his time with TSN, Reda has hosted numerous international events including, the World Cup of Soccer, the World Cup of Rugby, numerous Olympic Games including Vancouver 2010, and was the host of the Gemini awarding winning crew that covered the World Jr Hockey Championship in Halifax in 2003.

Reda also currently serves as a host of Junior Hockey Magazine, a weekly nationally syndicated radio show, entering its 25th season, covering the weekly stories from the Canadian Hockey League.

Ralph Mellanby

Ralph Mellanby’s career in television sports production is a testament to his dedication, creativity, and impact on the industry. Born in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1934, Mellanby’s journey to becoming an executive producer for Hockey Night in Canada (HNIC) was marked by a series of formative experiences and strategic career moves.

After attending Wayne State College in Detroit and earning a degree in communications, Mellanby began his television career as a prop boy at CKLW-TV in Windsor. His roles expanded over the years, encompassing stagehand work, camera operation, and floor management, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of television production.

By 1966, Mellanby had ascended to the position of Executive Director for Hockey Night in Canada, a role he would hold for the next 20 years. Under his leadership, HNIC underwent significant transformations, including the introduction of new talent and innovative production techniques.

Mellanby’s tenure at HNIC coincided with the rise of televised hockey as a national pastime in Canada. He played a pivotal role in shaping the broadcasts, negotiating sponsorship deals, and elevating the quality of production to new heights.

His creative vision and commitment to excellence earned him accolades, including five Emmy Awards for his coverage of the Winter Olympics and special recognition for his work on the “Miracle on Ice” at the Lake Placid Games in 1980.

Beyond his contributions to hockey broadcasting, Mellanby also left a lasting legacy in international sports production. He played a key role in the coverage of multiple Winter Olympics, further solidifying his reputation as a leader in the field.

In addition to his professional achievements, Mellanby is a proud father, celebrating the successes of his children, including his son Scott, who enjoyed a successful career in the NHL, and his daughter Laura, who excelled in the business world.

Despite facing personal challenges, including the loss of his wife Janet to cancer, Mellanby’s passion for sports and dedication to his craft remained unwavering. Today, he resides in Niagara Falls, Ontario, reflecting on a career filled with memorable moments and impactful contributions to the world of television sports production.

In recognition of his remarkable career and lasting impact, Ralph Mellanby’s induction into the Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame alongside his son Scott is a fitting tribute to his legacy and contributions to sports and life in general.

Ron Hewat

Ron Hewat’s broadcasting career began in 1959 when he joined CKFH in Toronto as a staff announcer. He went on to become a host and colour commentator for Toronto Maple Leafs broadcasts, progressing to play-by-play announcer for all Leafs games over the next sixteen years.

Through his involvement in Maple Leaf games, he has broadcast every Canada Cup series including the memorable 1976 series.

To his credit Ron has broadcast five Grey Cup games, assisted in production of the Bobby Orr Story on video, and did the first ever broadcast on TSN.

Ron started the original network for the Toronto Blue Jays and today is heard on numerous radio and television commercials across Canada.

Thousands of guests have attended the annual Etobicoke Sports Hall of Fame induction dinners and have had the pleasure of Ron Hewat as the Master of Ceremonies at the events.

Louis Cauz

Journalist, author, historian and official scorer. Louis Cauz has had a wide and varied career, but his love of sport began when he was just a boy, watching and playing baseball, hockey and basketball. He played baseball for the Hamilton Mountain Lions, ran Track and Field with the Hamilton Armours for Westdale Collegiate, and played goalie during the 40s and early 50s, working out on occasion with the Hamilton Tiger Cubs at the Forum.

During the 1950s World Series between Philadelphia and the Yankees, Louis sat by the teletype as they pumped out scores and statistics. He was hooked. He loved all sports, and while Louis says he wasn’t very good at playing them, sport reporting was his opportunity to participate and be the interpreter of a sporting event for the public.

When Louis was18 years old he joined the Hamilton Spectator, where he fell in love with the newspaper business, and dedicated himself to becoming a writer and sports reporter. After years as an office boy and proof reader, Louis got his opportunity to write in 1955.

Two years later he moved to Toronto and joined the Globe and Mail where his career as a writer and reporter flourished. Louis had the opportunity to cover news and politics, but eventually made his way back to sports and started covering horse racing in the mid 60s.

During his first year covering hockey in 1967, the Toronto Maple Leafs won the Stanley Cup. For more than 17 years at the Globe and Mail, Louis covered all sports including the hockey, football, baseball, skiing, tennis and curling.

Some of his deepest memories include, witnessing Hank Arron tie Babe Ruth’s record, covering the Olympic Games in Munich, and being honoured with a Sovereign Award by The Jockey Club of Canada in 1984 for his book “The Plate: A Royal Tradition.”

He has been an Official Scorer for the American League at the Rogers Centre since 1989, and is the Managing Director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Louis is married and has six children, and seven grandchildren.

Jim Bannon

Editor of the Woodbine Journal, a daily analysis of the racing card’s at Woodbine Ractrack, Bannon has enjoyed a 35-year career in broadcasting.

A staple at the track, he’s worked as a guest analyst for CBC Television, covering the Queen’s Plate, and is a director of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame.

Bannon is also an esteemed educator, having hosted hundreds of seminars across North America on handicapping horses, and having taught the Canadian Racing Officials Course for Thoroughbred racing officials at Humber College.

Frank Orr

Frank Orr spent 37 years as a sports reporter and columnist with the Toronto Star, covering all sports from college football to horse racing. His major beats were hockey from junior to the National Hockey League and world championships; auto racing, both Canadian and international competitions, and figure skating (12 world and Olympic championships).

Born and raised on a farm near the Ontario village of Hillsburgh, Frank was a radio announcer with stations in Chatham and Sault Ste Marie, Ontario. He was sports editor of the Cornwall Standard-Freeholder and Guelph Mercury, joining the Star in 1961.

Frank covered the Maple Leafs and NHL through much of his Star-time, including the four Leaf Stanley Cup titles in the 1960s. A highlight was the trail-blazing 1972 Summit Series between Team Canada and the national team of the old Soviet Union.

He also attended several world hockey championships in the ’70s and ’80s (no Canadian victories) and covered four Canadian triumphs in the world junior championships.

In a golden era of Canadian figure skating, Frank wrote “world champ” nine times – four men’s titles by Kurt Browning, three by Elvis Stojko, one, plus an Olympic silver, by Brian Orser, a world pairs crown by Isabelle Brasseur and Lloyd Eisler.

Frank has written or co-authored more than 30 books and contributed to 60 other books. The recently released The Dominators was co-authored by Frank and his Etobicoke neighbor George Tracz PhD.

In 1989, Frank was inducted into the media section of the Hockey Hall Of Fame and in 2003, he received the sports journalism lifetime achievement award of Sports Media Canada.

Frank and his wife Shirley, a health sciences college professor and consultant, have lived in Etobicoke lor 40 years.

George Gross

George Gross who has been a fulltime sports journalist in Canada for 44 years, arrived in Canada in 1950 with a limited knowledge of English and $4.50 in his pocket.

He was born in January 1923 in Bratislava, Slovakia, and at age 27 escaped from his home to Austria by rowing across the Danube River. Upon arrival in Canada, he worked on a farm for $30 a month with room and board.

After a freelance career with the Toronto Telegram and on radio stations CKFH and CFRB, including coverage of the 1958 World Cup in Sweden, George was offered a fulltime job with The Telegram in January 1959. He stayed with the paper until its demise in 1971, when he became sports editor of the Toronto Sun, a function he held for 15 years. He is now corporate sports editor of The Toronto Sun.

During his career, George won the 1974 National Newspaper Award, as well as his newspaper chain’s Dunlop Award and authored three books: Toronto Olympiad For The Handicapped (1976), Donald Jackson, King of Blades (1977) and Hockey Night in Canada (1982-83).

George was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1985 and is the only Canadian journalist who received the Olympic Order (1994). He’s a member of Variety Village, has chaired the Conn Smythe Sports Celebrities Dinner for Handicapped Children for 13 years and received such honours as the Ontario Achievement Award (1973); the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship, Gold Medal of the International Ice Hockey Federation in 1980; City of Toronto Medal and was the first recipient of the Promises of Hope Award in 1999 for his work on behalf of the Canadian Save The Children Fund.

George is currently president of Sports Media Canada and Life Member of the Association Internationale de la Presse Sportive.