Alumni Spotlight: Matthew Cullen

MATTHEW CULLEN Class of 2008 Interviewed by Michelle Noble | November 2016

M

atthew Cullen was among the first graduating class from Mulgrave to complete the International

Baccalaureate Diploma Programme in 2008. Faced with a decision to pursue a career in hockey or attend university and focus on his education, Matt artfully found a way to incorporate both passions into his life. He used his time at university to gain experience in sports broadcasting and was able to integrate travel into his studies through an exchange to Angers, France. This week’s Spotlight with Matt demonstrates how following your passion, taking advantage of opportunities, and persevering can lead to a dream job and doing what you love. We hope you enjoy!

MATTHEW CULLEN

After completing the IB at Mulgrave, you had a tough

language. These experiences were extremely valuable to

decision to make - work toward achieving a hockey

my personal and professional development.

scholarship in the United States, or go to St. Francis Xavier University. Deciding on the latter, how did you ensure sports remained part of your life, even if you weren’t playing hockey at a high level?

My passion for sports was still very much present, and I finally reached out to the St. FX campus newspaper (The Xavieran Weekly) to be a sports reporter. I also began broadcasting varsity hockey and basketball games on the university streaming network in my final year of university.

Where has your career path led you to today?

After taking two years to work abroad in France, I decided to return to my studies in September 2014 to pursue a diploma in Radio and Television Broadcasting at the College of Sports Media in Toronto. In the summer of 2015, I worked as a Digital Media intern at TSN.ca and was also hired as a CBC Host Broadcaster for the Pan American Games. These two experiences were key in helping me find a position as a sports writer with CBC in Toronto. I had continued to commentate

In addition to reporting, I competed on the St. FX rowing

for live sporting events (my dream job!) and at the end

team for two years and played basketball with the club

of the summer was fortunate enough to get the call to

team at the Université Catholique de l’Ouest while I was

be the regular Colour Commentator for the Mississauga

on exchange in Angers, France. I always continued to

Steelheads (Ontario Hockey League) on Rogers TV, a

play hockey at a recreational level.

local cable station in a Toronto suburb. I am now in my

Would you recommend going on an exchange during post-secondary, like you did in your third year to Angers, France?

Yes, I would definitely recommend an international exchange to anyone who is interested. It introduced me to a different world outside of the classroom, allowed me to make friends and connections around the world,

second season with the team.

In addition to commentating, I’m involved in several other initiatives. I’m currently a committee lead in the Game Operations and Hospitality department at Hockey Canada for the upcoming 2017 World Junior Championship in Toronto. I am also a member of the Young Professionals Network at the You Can Play

and provided me with the opportunity to learn a new

Project, which is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect

ABOVE: Matt in France.

ABOVE: Matt with his broadcast team.

and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation and/or gender identity.

What strategies do you have for filling empty air time?

For me, it’s all about preparation. During shows and

What has been the most powerful article you’ve written

games, I am regularly asked to ‘fill’ until the period starts

so far?

or until the producer is ready to play a clip. (These are

The most powerful article I have written was for TSN. ca during the summer of 2015. I had the opportunity to interview former Olympic swimmer, Mark Tewksbury, who at the time was preparing to be an honourary coach at the Special Olympics. I also had the chance to ask Mr. Tewksbury about his gold-medal performance (backstroke 100m) at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, as well as what he experienced after he became Canada’s

just a few examples.) Another example is from a game today: The peg that holds the net on the ice got stuck and resulted in a 10-minute delay, and I was left to fill that time gap. Anything can happen and in those scenarios, my best moments are when I am able to react with knowledge. Without the proper preparation, I feel that I am risking an embarrassing or awkward moment during a broadcast.

first openly homosexual athlete. He gave me some great

I also think that keeping a good pace is important and

insight, and I was thrilled to promote his initiatives.

not speaking too quickly. I have a tendency to speed up

Mr. Tewksbury was also the Chef de Mission for Team

and talk too fast when I’m asked to fill extra time, as it

Canada at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

is not scripted. I find it’s most natural when I slow down

Favourite sport to watch at the Summer Olympics this year?

My favourite sport to watch this summer was women’s

and concentrate on what I know.

To that note, do you have a most embarrassing announcer story?

soccer. There was an incredible amount of hype

As I mentioned, anything can happen on live

around the Canadian team after their bronze-medal

television, so naturally there have been a few. My most

performance at the London 2012 Olympic Games. I

embarrassing moment to date was when my broadcast

enjoyed all the other sports as well, but there was always

partner asked me an unexpected question. To be brief,

a special buzz when the Canadian women took to the pitch.

one of the players we were talking about played two

ABOVE: Matt with Don Cherry.

ABOVE: Matt in France sporting Canadian pride.

ABOVE: Matt (right) at his graduation from The College of Sports Media. games in a relatively unknown development league

hockey/football commentator from TSN) gave me some

called the East Coast Hockey League (after his junior

great advice about finding your own voice: “Don’t try to

season ended a few years earlier). On the air, he asked

be someone else.” My personality needs to shine through

me (just as a fun question, I think) if I knew which NHL

in order for it to be authentic.

team had a partnership with this small development league team. While I try to be as prepared as possible,

I definitely look up to Mr. Miller as a successful

this was not something I was ready for. I did not know

commentator who I would like to learn from. I also

the answer and needless to say, I had a chat with him

enjoy listening to Jim Hughson (Sportsnet Hockey) and

afterwards about limiting his unexpected questions.

Bob Cole, who is a long time Hockey Night in Canada

How important is the chemistry with your other on-air

announcer.

partners?

How would you describe your on-air voice?

Chemistry is always beneficial, but you aren’t always

I’m still developing my own voice through practice and

going to be able to work with someone that you know.

repetition. I’ve been told I have a good broadcast style,

The most important thing for me is to understand your

but it is definitely a work-in-progress.

partner’s style and try to adapt your style to fit. There have definitely been times where I have cut off (or have been cut off) because I thought that the other person had finished their thought. I’m hoping that I will get better at this with more experience and practice.

Who is your hero sports announcer?

I have many announcers that I look up to. Gord Miller (a

Mulgrave role model?

Linda Hamer. She started the school on a very small scale and developed it to be one of the most successful schools in British Columbia. I believe in her concept of dreaming big, and I hope to apply this to my career.

Matthew Cullen, 2008