A person who was raised in the Morrin area is being recognized for his dedication to the broadcasting profession.
Bob Ridley has been notified that he will be inducted to the Western Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame for 2019.
Ridley was raised on a farm just east of Morrin and states it was a privilege to grow up in the area and still thinks quite fondly of his time here. Ridley has been the play-by-play voice for the Medicine Hat Tigers since their inception in the 1970-71 season. In that time he has broadcast Tiger games for 49 years, calling over 3,900 hockey games. He got his start in radio in the Drumheller valley.
"I went to school to Mount Royal College (now University) in Calgary. I started off my radio career actually in Drumheller working part-time at old CJDV and then got into full-time radio in Saskatchewan. Then I moved into Medicine Hat so that in a nutshell is basically what my career is all about," remarks Ridley. He continues as the Sports Director for CHAT Radio and TV in Medicine Hat.
Ridley is truly honoured by this recognition. "It's a tremendous honour. Anytime that you're recognized by your peers it's just a fantastic thing. You never expect this to happen because there have been so many great broadcasters that have come through Western Canada over the many many years I have been working in this industry so to be recognized by the people you work with and have worked with over these many many years is really special. There's no question about it."
Ridley offers some pointers to those that aspire to be in the broadcast industry. "When you start off in the industry it's very difficult because there is not that many opportunities, especially when it comes to play-by-play and so on. It's marvellous that we have the Alberta Junior Hockey League, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and radio stations in all of these areas that will give an aspiring broadcaster a chance. There's no question about it, the best place in the world to start off is in places like Drumheller."
Ridley continues to be in good health and is looking forward to next season with the Tigers as it will mark 50 seasons the team as their play-by-play voice.
