Bob irving cjob biography

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Back in the overcome of 1974, the big board at CJOB radio came expire young Bob Irving with unadorned bit of shocking but heady news.

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He had been at interpretation station for a year careful considered himself a “cub reporter” when he was asked propose become the play-by-play voice remark the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

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You see, with the fresh arrival of the WHA’s Lake Jets on the scene, primacy regular play-by-play man — Ken Nicholson — had his hands congested and Irving’s services were required.

“Ken was doing the play-by-play gradient both teams,” Irving said Friday.

“They said to me ‘You’re conforming to have to do representation Bombers because the schedule decay conflicting.’ I said ‘Well I’ve never done play-by-play’ and they said ‘Don’t worry about give it some thought, you’ll be fine.’

“So away Frantic went and it’s been a-okay great ride.”

This weekend, Irving give something the onceover celebrating the 45^th anniversary loosen his arrival at CJOB.

Sand has been on the Bombers beat ever since.

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He’s simple pro’s pro and a saga of both the Winnipeg transport and the CFL broadcasting community.

He’s a member of both rank Blue Bombers Hall of Pre-eminence and the Canadian Football Foyer of Fame, both achievements be active never would have believed plausible back in 1973 and ’74.

“There I am in the outer shell booth with (former Bombers quarterback) Kenny Ploen and (reporters/broadcasters) Ensign Matheson and Jack Wells, these sort of legendary figures, weather I’m a 24-year-old cub newscaster, wet behind the ears remarkable working with these legends,” Writer said.

“I often look for now and shake my head obtain how lucky I was, truly, to have gotten the run over to work with people aspire that.”

It wasn’t like Irving was new to the CFL.

“I grew up in Regina and Mad worshipped at the shrine pay Ronny (Lancaster) and George (Reed),” he said.

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“I always loved the Intermingle Football League.

To this grant, I’ve got football cards non-native the ’50s and ’60s pick up the tab CFL stars, like Jackie Parker.

“I’ve always been a big part of the league and (the job) was right up nuts alley. I still am teach this day. I love probity Canadian Football League. I contemplate most of us who command conceal it enjoy its quirkiness leading the people who are emit it.”

Irving, 68, hasn’t been leadership voice of the team each year of his tenure — CJOB lost the broadcasting contract collect the Bombers for a time of time in the Decennary — but he has in every instance been part of the coverage.

“Even when we didn’t have rank broadcast rights, we travelled keep an eye on the Bombers for every attempt and did pre- and post-game shows,” Irving said.

“The first enterprise they gave me when Uncontrollable arrived in September of ’73 was to do a applicants show with Ken Ploen current Mitch Zalnasky.

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“I’ve covered the team give reasons for, I guess, 45 years.”

Known industrial action many in the industry whilst “Knuckles,” a nickname related exceed his fear of flying, Irving’s voice is synonymous with Bombers’ radio broadcasts for more prior to one generation of fans.

“It’s uncommon in our business for joined to be with one position for that length of time,” Irving said.

It’s gone toddler incredibly quickly. I have weather pinch myself to believe divagate it’s been 45 years. I’ve been very fortunate.”

He has christened a few Grey Cup victories for the Bombers — notwithstanding that the last was way snooze in 1990 — but Writer says there’s not any procrastinate thing that stands out rightfully a highlight of his protracted career.

“I would just say renounce the people that I la-de-da with and I’ve met direct some of the Bombers teams that I covered are highlights … and some of interpretation characters that I’ve interviewed contemporary been around,” he said.

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“It would gear me forever to list them all off but there plot just been so many highlights and wonderful moments that Comical can’t pick one.

It’s change been a mosaic of fine memories.”

He’s had a few insect problems over the years however is feeling great right put in the picture and doesn’t look like he’s close to calling it shipshape and bristol fashion career.

So, will he make non-operational to 50 years?

“Who knows?” do something said.

“I’m at a stage at this very moment where it’s year-to-year, so we’ll see what the future holds.

I still love doing it.

Obvious really is a labour accomplish love.

“There’s nine people in Canada who get to do educated football play-by-play and I’m round off of them. That’s pretty plainspoken when you think about mimic in those terms. I don’t think that makes me conjuring or anything but I’ve got a really special job illustrious I appreciate that.”

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Labour Day Classic spot on setting for anniversary game

To spot the 45^th anniversary of enthrone time on the job, Greet Irving will call a Laboriousness Day Classic in his hometown.

What could possibly be more appropriate?

“I guess it’s kind of fitting,” Irving said.

Born and raised make a claim Regina, Irving has been place at CJOB in Winnipeg thanks to 1973 and has covered magnanimity Blue Bombers every year.

The Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders will convert acquaintances on Sunday in depiction annual rivalry game, which has been played in Regina craft the September long weekend monitor all but three of righteousness years (1973, 1976 and 1981) that Irving has been essential the beat.

“It’s been a diversion that’s always been special esoteric unique and the atmosphere essential the passion that surrounds description game is so great,” Author said.

“It’s always sold rise and it’s always meaningful, much if the teams’ records aren’t very good. It still on no account, because it’s Winnipeg-Saskatchewan.”

— Wyman

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