TSN1200 Co-host TGOR
Steve Warne
guidance counsellor told me I needed something more than grade 9 French to apply to journalism school. I found out, years later, he didn’t know what he was talking about. You often speak on air about your love of golf. How did you come to enjoy the sport? I had a crush on a girl who worked at Richmond Centennial so I got a membership there. And by “membership” I mean my friend and I would sneak onto the 2nd hole without paying. I think the girl had a boyfriend or something but I did fall in love with golf. You have often remarked about your love of hockey and the Senators from a young age. What is your favourite moment in Sens history, and why? Probably the first game at the Civic Centre in ‘92. I couldn’t believe we actually had an NHL team in my hometown. I couldn’t believe I was covering my first NHL game. I couldn’t believe Guy Carbonneau let me interview him for 15 minutes before practice. I couldn’t believe Denis Savard was so small. I still can’t believe the Sens won that night. Anyway, it was a historical night and the start of something great for me. Not many guys can say they’ve professionally covered every year of the Sens’ existence.
You grew up in Richmond. Tell us a little about some of your memories growing up in Richmond. What part of your childhood stands out the most when you look back? Sports. I played everything and so did my friends. I remember the cold, quiet walk to early morning practices at Richmond Arena. I loved all day shinny on the Jock River and road hockey in front of my house. My dad and I would go to the Richmond Royals’ games Saturday night then hustle home to catch the third period of Hockey Night in Canada. Summers were for golf, football, softball and soccer or whatever weird game we’d invent. Three Guys on the Radio is a hit show on TSN 1200, and a favourite for Ottawa’s sports fans. What is your favourite aspect of cohosting the show? If this weren’t my job, this is honestly the kind of thing I’d do for fun. Talking sports and joking around with the guys. The only thing it lacks is beer and a sane hour for my wake up call. What do you think sets TGOR apart from other sports shows in Ottawa? I think we’re a nice broadcast mix of polished, experienced and juvenile. We’re sports junkies but we’ve also got a little more freedom to goof around and talk about pretty much anything. I like that it’s not fake. What you hear is generally what we are. Except for JR and Hammer. I never know what they’re up to. Was sports journalism always something you wanted to do, or was it something that you fell into? Yes. I angled toward radio after my high school
Having played hockey and golf since a young age, what do you think are the greatest benefits for children of playing each sport? There’s the obvious health angle, but it’s more than that. When you’re on a team, you feel part of something. When you help the team, you feel this admiration from your teammates. Inclusion and admiration builds confidence like nothing else. Confident kids make way better life decisions. You often make humorous, and sometimes musical, jabs at the Leafs such as “Leafs Suck” (to the tune of Outkast’s “Hey Ya”). Do you have any new musical parodies in the works? I do. Another nod to my hatred of the Leafs. It’s to the tune of “I’m Happy” by Pharrell Williams. It’s called “I’m crappy.” Because it’s been my belief for some time that the Leafs are crappy. You often share personal stories, especially about your family’s experiences in dealing with the impact of autism on your son, Michael. How did you initially react to the news? Shocked. Depressed. Heartbroken. From your personal experience, what do you think the greatest challenge is for families with autistic children? For some people, it’s denial. They refuse to accept the label and the child doesn’t get the help he/she needs. For others it’s dealing with the heartbreak. Some struggle to deal with all the incredibly bizarre, sometimes aggressive behaviours. Then there’s the cost of therapy
which is often more than the average Canadian makes in a year. I think the biggest challenge is finding their place in the world. What do you do when they turn 18, when all funding runs out and programs disappear? What do you do when you’re too old to care for them? You have been quite supportive of autism research, especially in Ottawa. What awareness initiatives are the most important, in your opinion, for the public to be aware of? Awareness-wise, the public needs to know that these kids have a chance. If they get proper therapy early in life, they may not need expensive, full-time, life-long care that will be entirely funded by taxpayers. It’s the pay me now or pay me later thing. You’re the chairman of the Microsoft Golf Classic for Autism to raise money and awareness. How receptive have you found Ottawa to such an event, and how successful has it been in your opinion? It’s been great in every way. Last year was our 10th anniversary event. Shameless plug! Our 2014 event is at the Marshes golf club on Tuesday June 17th. Apart from hockey and golf, what other hobbies or interests do you fill your spare time with? Stuff with the kids. Drinks with friends. I write. I love movies. I coach. I’m a fantasy baseball and football guy, though not a very successful one. I like building things around the house. I love travel, dinner and afternoon naps with my beautiful wife Linda. If you could meet any NHL or PGA player, past or present, who would it be and why? Shaun Van Allen. I owe him 20 bucks from my NFL pool. What would you say is your greatest accomplishment, in life and work, so far? In life? My tiny part in creating autism awareness and helping raise a lot of money for various autism charities. In work? Just being able to contribute to a very good radio show that a lot of people seem to like. @TSNSteve