Wes Montgomery
Bell Memorial - Inducted 2007
Wes Montgomery began his broadcasting career in 1958 in Peace River. In 1964, he moved to Edmonton and was the Sports Director at CHED, where his incredible 47-year broadcast career flourished. His passion for covering all varieties of amateur sport is what he became best known for. He always made time during his sportscast for minor football, hockey, junior curling, high school sports, university sports, and provincial and national team sports. He was also passionate about the professional sport scene – especially the Edmonton Eskimos.
Wes Montgomery’s career included writing a Sunday sports column for the Edmonton Sun and broadcasting for a number of radio stations including: CISN, CFRN and CFCW in Edmonton. He was a popular Edmonton Eskimos radio personality for more than 40 years, and a long-time host of the annual Eskimo Fundraising Dinner and CFL Coach of the Year event.
Wes Montgomery’s impact on sports will be his coverage, in the late 1970’s, of a new sport in Edmonton - wheelchair basketball. His continued support of wheelchair basketball and its growth and development led the organizers to change the league name to “The Montgomery League”. Wes Montgomery is part of a lasting legacy as the league still operates today.
Wes was also an accomplished athlete. He played football with the Edmonton Wildcats, curled, played softball, baseball, hockey and golf.
Wes Montgomery completed his career at CFCW, where he worked since 1993 as the Sports Director and very popular ‘Morning Man’, until his passing in April 2005. Wes was a Lifetime Honourary Member of the Northern Alberta Curling Association, a recipient of the Waldo Ranson City of Edmonton Sports Award, and a recipient of the Sportsman of the Year Award from the Sportsmen Curling Association.
After Induction
2008 - Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Broadcaster Hall of Fame
