Foster Hewitt: A Brief Biography

Life Section

Labeled as a "Canadian radio pioneer," Foster Hewitt through his five decades of radio broadcasting, ignites a flame of hope during the gloomy depression of the 1930's. It all begins on November 21st, 1905, when Foster Hewitt is born in Toronto, Ontario. His father, a sports editor for the Toronto Star, sparks his interest in sports at an early age. Foster begins to develop an early love for the game of hockey. He starts out by selling crystal sets for some extra cash while attending Upper Canada College, but never made any money due to competition. His father then helped him get a job as a reporter for the Toronto Star where he was further more introduced to sports broadcasting. Hewitt gains experience through mainly just
watching and doing odd jobs around the building taking and absorbing everything he could. The real adventure starts on March, 1923, when Hewitt is asked to broadcast an intermediate hockey game with only three hours notice. He awkwardly agrees to do it. Hewitt describes the conditions in the tiny four foot by 4 foot glass booth as unbearable due to the lack of space and lack of air holes. After the game he vowed never to broadcast a hockey game again. The following day letters from Foster's new found fans overwhelmed the Toronto Star. Foster Hewitt was then asked to continue his broadcasts and this is where his career of fame takes off. Foster Hewitt's broadcasts were full of facts and packed in with genuine character.
He opened every broadcast with "Hello hockey fans," but is more importantly known for the famous phrase, "He shoots, he scores!" Foster Hewitt brought a new element in entertainment to the game of hockey. He was a shining star in a black sky during the miserable times of the depression. He had to fight hard to brighten up the lives of families during this time. Foster's fame grew throughout the years and he was considered to be one of the most famous Canadians in the 1930's receiving over ninety thousand letters a year from inspired
fans. On March 22nd, 1923, Hewitt broadcasted his first ever televised game but quickly turned it over to his son bill and loyally returned to radio.
In 1931, Maple Leaf Gardens was opened and gave exclusive broadcasting rights to Hewitt. By 1933, his broadcasts were heard on twenty different stations nation wide. After forty years in broadcasting Hewitt called it quits in 1963 when he retires. Just two years later he is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a founder, which Hewitt considers one of his most prestigious awards. The well known 1972 Summit Series of hockey between Canada and long time rival U.S.S.R. brings Hewitt out of retirement as he was the exclusive broadcaster for the event. That same year he is made an honorary officer of the Order of Canada. Hewitt was also inducted into the Canada Sports Hall of Fame. Hewitt finally officially retired in 1978 and died seven years later on April 21st, 1985. Even four years after his death Hewitt is given one more honor of being inducted into the CAB Broadcast Hall of Fame. Foster Hewitt lit the way through Canada's darkest times and brought hope and entertainment to Canadian families throughout the nation. Through his five decade career the devoted Foster Hewitt never missed a single broadcast and pushed Canada through one of its toughest times. Receiving more than a hand full of awards Hewitt was more than just a sports broadcaster, he was a hero. Foster Hewitt, he shoots, he
scores.

Impact Section

Foster Hewitt's original character and memorable voice carried Canada through one of it's darkest times, the great depression. Canadian families were stuck in a horrible state with nothing but hope. Foster Hewitt brought that hope, brought that entertainment, and inspired families to carry on. Saturday night hockey games turned into a night with Foster Hewitt. He was the highlight of their week. He brought Canadian families together uniting them in front of a radio for just a couple of hours. This was all they needed, something to look forward to every now and again. Foster Hewitt's energizing broadcasts urged Canadians to push forward. Foster Hewitt was a locally born hero who inspired many not to turn their back on Canada. He made hockey popular by bringing many new fans to the game bringing pride behind the team, and pride behind the nation. One of the most famous events was the 1972 Summit Series, where Hewitt actually came out of retirement just to broadcast the games. Foster Hewitt created a dynamic pride in Canada that was once lost during the shaky times of the depression. He was able to entertain the struggling families and bring them back behind Canada giving them a new flame to be warmed by.
+Adam Makino+
Bibliography

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Source One: Book about the era
Author: Leon Harvey
Title: National Pride
Pages: 43-45
Published: Fredericton 1994, Canada Bookworms Ltd.

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Source Two: General Encyclopedia
Author: N/A
Title: Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org)
Article: Foster Hewitt
Publisher: Wikimedia Foundation Inc.
Copyright: 2001
Last Updated: February 9th 2006

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Source Three: Electronic Media Source
Author: J. Lyman Potts
Title: Broadcasting History
(www.broadcasting-history.ca)
Article: Foster Hewitt
Written: December 1996