Ernie Calcutt

Ernest George Calcutt (November 1, 1932 – January 10, 1984) was a Canadian sports commentator and radio news director. He worked for CFRA 580-AM in Ottawa, and was the voice for the Ottawa Rough Riders radio broadcasts from 1964 to 1983. He served as president of the Canadian Football Reporters, and was inducted into both the Canadian Football Hall of Fame and the Ottawa Sport Hall of Fame.

Early life and education Ernest George Calcutt was born on November 1, 1932, in Ottawa, Ontario, the son of Allan and Doris Calcutt. He grew up in the Centretown neighbourhood of Ottawa, was an altar boy at St Patrick's Basilica and frequented the Ottawa Auditorium as a youth. He played Canadian football and ice hockey, and attended St. Patrick's High School. He was married, and had five children. He became the station's sports director in 1965, and then its news director in 1968. He broadcast sports news reports every 30 minutes, gave a daily morning commentary and hosted a public affairs talk show. The Ottawa Citizen described Calcutt as having an encyclopedic knowledge of Canadian football, He also served as president of the Canadian Football Reporters, and made contributions to the Easter Seals telethon hosted in Ottawa.

Posthumous honours

The City of Ottawa made him the namesake of Ernie Calcutt Park in 1984. The new artificial turf field at Lansdowne Park Stadium was also named for Calcutt in 1984.