TSN1200 Co-host TGOR
JOHN RODENBURG TGOR is quite a popular show for sports enthusiasts in Ottawa. How did you first get your start in radio broadcasting? Since graduating from broadcast journalism in college, I’ve worked for radio stations in Tillsonburg, Barrie, Toronto and Ottawa. Believe it or not, in radio, that’s a pretty short list. I was actually a news guy for a lot of years before starting with Ottawa Sports Radio in 1998. What is your favourite aspect of hosting TGOR? Every day is a blank canvas. We have some ideas of what we’ll talk about but one aside from a listener or us, and we’re off exploring something we never would have predicted. It’s a constant high-wire act. How did you feel when the Flames became Stanley Cup Champions in 1989, and what was your favourite moment in the playoffs? Collectively my 4 favourite pro teams have won 1 championship. That’s total, in my lifetime. I don’t know of anyone else who has had that “antiMidas” touch, so I do appreciate the one time it did happen. Watching Lanny McDonald score the GWG in his final NHL game on Patrick Roy was pretty sweet. You deserve a lot of respect for your open and honest assessment of the state of the Ottawa Senators franchise. The Ottawa media often come under fire for being “too soft” on the team – but you have never shied away from speaking up if you think the team is underperforming. What do you see as the biggest reason that the team has struggled in 2013-2014 season? How do you think they can improve moving into next year and beyond? I think there are too many young guys on defense. It’s the toughest position in the NHL to learn and when all of them are learning on the go you will pay the price. Especially when you don’t get out of it with goaltending like the Senators had last year. I look for a better season next year from several of them but I think they also need to add an experienced defenseman to play in their top 4. Apart from hockey, what do you consider to be your favourite sport and why? To watch, football. To play, golf. Football is the ultimate team game where every player is so dependent on their teammates. Golf to play because no matter how well you play, you always feel like you could have done better. Golf is something you can actually get better at as you get older. What is the most challenging part of being a father to three daughters? Finding life balance between work and home is always a struggle. All 3 of them are busy with their own lives, between school, part-time work, and sports. Essentially my wife and I are a taxi service on nights and weekends. But I wouldn’t change it for the world. They’re all completely different.
Do any of your daughters share your love of sports, and do they play any themselves? All 3 of them love to play sports much to my wife’s chagrin. She was hoping they would all be into dance like she was but after trying it out, they all turned to sports like hockey, soccer, basketball, and track. There isn’t more than a night or 2 that goes by where they aren’t at a rink, field, or track pretty much year-round. What is the most challenging part of co-hosting TGOR, and what do you find the most rewarding? I don’t know if you ever get used to the hours. I’m convinced I’m about 5 years behind on my sleep totals, but as the saying goes, you can sleep when you’re dead. The reward is when you finish a really good show; you’ve had some laughs and some good debates and you can’t wait to do it again. It’s always a challenge. Do you and Steve Warne have any friendly rivalries? I’m still waiting for Steve to beat me in one of the pools that we have had on the show. One of these years he might beat me. Might. What do you think the best part of growing up in Ottawa was for you? What about for your daughters? I didn’t grow up in Ottawa, but London is like a smaller Ottawa. For my kids, unparalleled access to sports, nature, culture, and great schools. There’s probably not another city in Canada that can offer the combination of city and country in 20 minutes like Ottawa can. Apart from sports, what other hobbies do you have? I wish I had time for hobbies. What has been the most challenging obstacle you’ve had to overcome in life, and why? All of my obstacles have been so minor compared to others, it would really diminish what other people have been able to overcome. I’ve been very fortunate. What would you consider to be your greatest achievement to date? My wife and I have raised 3 girls we’re really proud of. I think they are hard-working, respectful, and on their way to great things in life. As a parent, I’ve always thought you try to put your kids on the right path and then cross your fingers and hope for the best. What is your favourite memory so far of working with Steve Warne? There’s lots. Having Wayne Gretzky phone us from the ice surface after Canada won hockey gold in 2002. The road trip to New Jersey in the playoffs in 2003. Singing “All the Leafs Stink” during the playoffs. Convincing Senators fans their playoff games wouldn’t be televised in favour of Leafs games during an April Fool’s joke. @TSNJR