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Archive Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID |
2013.55.113 B |
Object Name |
Video Recording |
Title |
George Gross Interview |
Scope & Content |
George Gross interview, 13 October 2006. Digitized MP4 from Sony 40 Advanced ME DVCAM. Two videos with a total viewing time of 00:59:11. 1 of 2; 00:10Introduction to Hall Childhood: grew up in Bratislava, Czechoslovakia, played all sports including soccer, hockey, rowing, volleyball, equestrian, was average in every sport 01:44University of Prague, studied political science, at same time became a sports journalist and was the sports editor of the newspaper, when he came to Canada he told the immigration officer he was a farm worker in order to get in, worked on a farm in Ontario and then other jobs, in 1956-57 wrote soccer column for the Toronto Telegram on a temporary basis, then wrote a column on European sports and became full time journalist in 1959, in 1971 became the sports editor for the Toronto Sun 05:15On escaping communist Czechoslovakia and coming to Canada: communist regime, had been jailed, when released escaped across the Danube to Austria, tells story of escape, stayed for 1 year in Vienna and came to Canada in 1950 11:56On learning English: had photographic memory, listened to radio, watched TV, read newspapers 13:25Were you attending sporting events then: as a spectator not as a journalist, when hired full time covered figure skating, talks about covering Donald Jackson and the Jelineks, started to cover hockey, covered all four Stanley Cups won by the Toronto Maple Leafs and was given a Stanley Cup ring by the team for his coverage 16:33Why chose Canada: had three choices of country to immigrate to while in Austria, the USA had a 2-year wait period, Australia was too far away, so he chose Canada 17:06When covering sports did you associate with the athletes: did see them away from the arenas, did not really socialize with them because he felt it could affect his coverage, after his career was finished did become close friends with Red Kelly, "I get along with people in general. I don't think a journalist's job is to murder a player because he had a bad day. I think a journalist's job is to find out why did he have a bad day."; always tried to find out the reason why, analyzed mistakes, gave credit to the other team 19:25On soccer: knew Steve Stravros, they played soccer together, friendship goes back 50 years, talks about formation of the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League in 1961, he managed the Toronto team, talks about 3 big English soccer players that played for them, talks about playing and winning against European teams 23:51Summit Series: quite an experience, covered the games played in Canada, talks about going to Sweden and being told by another journalist not to go to Moscow because he would be arrested as an escapee, returned to Canada and covered the games from his office 27:03Relationship with players and owners: close friend of Punch Imach, talks about friendships 28:58Did you ever think about becoming a hockey manager: never entered his mind, devoted to journalism, believed in journalism, "I always thought a journalist had a bigger job than collecting a salary. There was a message to give to the young people, to educate people."; talks about covering Pele when he first started playing soccer; when asked what he says to a young sports journalist, how do you define it in one word he answers "the word is integrity", which gives you credibility 32:30Any regrets: none 32:57Proudest achievement: winning the national newspaper award in 1974 for his exclusive report on the defection of hockey player Nedomansky to Canada, tells story 2 of 2; 00:01Continues story 05:15did European players want to come to Canada: they wanted to get out, heard about the salarys, Canada was Eden 08:49On being inducted to CSHoF: great honour, not sure I deserve it, surprised but pleased to see journalists honoured for doing something for amateur sport, great to be in same room with all these great athletes 10:47Life lesson: to be healthy, athletic exercise prolongs life, healthy body is a healthy mind 12:31 Funny story: tells stories |
Date |
2006/10/13 |
People |
Gross, George |
Search Terms |
Interview George Gross Sport Journalism Sports Federation of Canada Award 1972 Summit Series |