Wittman's Distinguished Career in Canadian Sports Broadcasting
For decades, Wittman served as a cornerstone of Canadian sports media, bringing major athletic events into the living rooms of millions. Beginning his tenure with CBC Sports on January 1, 1961, he developed a reputation for versatility, courage, and a relentless pursuit of the story.
Early Career and Regional Broadcasting
Wittman's professional journey expanded in 1970 when he joined the supper-hour news program 24Hours at CBWT, where he served as a sports anchor alongside Bob Picken. His expertise in the field extended beyond news programs, as he also contributed to television and radio broadcasts for the Winnipeg Jets.
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Wittman branched into regional entertainment by hosting Western Express. This weekly half-hour program, broadcast across Western Canada, featured lottery ticket drawings. The show's format involved Wittman co-hosting with various community and media personalities from regional towns and cities, conducting interviews between the drawings. The program eventually rebranded as The Western and transitioned to a scratch-card lottery format.
Reporting from the 1972 Munich Olympics
One of the most daring chapters of Wittman's career occurred during the 1972 Summer Olympics amidst the Munich massacre crisis. In an effort to provide live reports, Wittman and colleague Bob Moir posed as medical staff for the Canadian Olympic team to sneak into the Olympic Village by crawling through a hole in a fence.
Positioned just 50 metres (160 ft) from the Israeli Olympic team building, the duo witnessed nine hostages guarded by the Palestinian terrorist group Black September. They remained on-site throughout the day, filing critical radio reports to the CBC until the hostages were moved onto a bus.
Reflecting on the risk in a 1994 interview, Bob Moir attributed the decision to their youth and a shared drive to "go after the story."
A Legacy of Sports Commentary
Throughout his career, Wittman covered a vast array of disciplines, including baseball, basketball, golf, and athletics. However, he became most recognized for his work with the CBC's coverage of the CFL (Canadian Football League), his contributions to Hockey Night in Canada, and his announcing for major international and Canadian curling tournaments.
His portfolio includes some of the most iconic moments in sports history, such as Donovan Bailey's world-record 100m sprint at the 1996 Summer Olympics and the legendary 1987 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships brawl between Canada and the Soviet Union.
Key Facts
- CBC Start Date: January 1, 1961.
- Notable Programs: 24Hours, Western Express, and Hockey Night in Canada.
- Munich 1972: Posed as medical staff to report on the Black September hostage crisis.
- Major Events Covered: 1996 Olympic 100m world record and the 1987 World Junior hockey brawl.
- Sports Expertise: CFL, curling, hockey, athletics, baseball, basketball, and golf.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Employer | CBC Sports |
| Regional Work | CBWT (Winnipeg Jets, Western Express) |
| Key Olympic Coverage | Munich 1972, Atlanta 1996 |
| Specializations | CFL, Curling, Ice Hockey |
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Wittman begin working for CBC Sports?
Wittman started his long association with CBC Sports on January 1, 1961.
How did Wittman report on the Munich massacre in 1972?
Wittman and Bob Moir posed as medical staff for the Canadian Olympic team and crawled through a hole in a fence to gain access to the Olympic Village for live radio reporting.
What was the format of the program Western Express?
It was a weekly half-hour program in Western Canada featuring lottery drawings and interviews with local media and community personalities.
Which major sporting events is Wittman best known for covering?
He is highly regarded for his CFL and curling coverage, as well as reporting on Donovan Bailey's 1996 world record and the 1987 Canada-Soviet World Junior hockey brawl.
What other sports did Wittman cover as a sportscaster?
In addition to hockey and football, he covered athletics, baseball, basketball, and golf.