Henry Viney

Bell Memorial — Inducted 1974

Henry Viney was widely regarded as the “Dean of Canadian Sportscasters,” earning a legendary reputation through more than four decades of broadcasting and community involvement in sport. Known affectionately as the “little man with the big cigar,” Viney became one of Alberta’s most recognizable and influential voices in sport media.

Born September 3, 1910, Viney began his broadcasting career in 1932 with CJOC Radio in Lethbridge. Following five years of service with the instructional staff of the Canadian Army during the Second World War, he joined CFCN Radio in Calgary in 1945, where he became a central figure in sports broadcasting across Western Canada.

Throughout his career, Viney covered a wide range of major sporting events both nationally and internationally. He broadcast championship boxing matches featuring fighters such as Rocky Marciano, Jersey Joe Walcott, and Floyd Patterson, and reported from prestigious events including the Kentucky Derby, Indianapolis 500, Olympic Games, Pan American Games, Grey Cups, Stanley Cups, and World Series competitions.

His versatility extended across many sports, including hockey, basketball, wrestling, soccer, and international tournaments. Despite covering major professional events around the world, Viney remained deeply committed to amateur sport in Alberta. Over the course of his career, he attended and reported on more than 10,000 local sporting events, including fastball, Little League baseball, junior hockey, and midget hockey, helping promote grassroots athletics throughout Calgary and the province.

Known for his candid and often controversial commentary, Viney earned both admiration and debate among listeners, but his honesty and passion for sport made him one of Canada’s most respected broadcasters.

After Induction