For 40 years, Rod Black has made volunteering a priority. “I felt lucky and privileged enough to work in what I considered to be my dream job, so I thought I had a responsibility to give back to the community in any way,†says the TSN anchor.
TSN anchor Rod Black is one of Canada’s best-known sports voices. What sets him apart is how he uses his voice when he’s off the clock
“Maybe the reason I do so much volunteering is because I live in this world of athletic achievements and excess, where professional athletes probably make a bit too much money, and maybe broadcasters do too.â€
For 40 years, Rod Black has made volunteering a priority. “I felt lucky and privileged enough to work in what I considered to be my dream job, so I thought I had a responsibility to give back to the community in any way,†says the TSN anchor.
In his four decades as an anchor, Rod Black has called plays in almost every sport, from baseball, football and golf to figure skating, tennis and boxing. He continues to use his voice outside the booth, too, raising it over and over to help spread the word about local and national charities and non-profits.
Ever since he got his first job in media at 18 years old in his hometown of Winnipeg, the TSN sportscaster has made time to volunteer, often in support of youth- and sports-related causes. “For me, I just thought volunteering was part of the job,†says Black. “I felt lucky and privileged enough to work in what I considered to be my dream job, so I thought I had a responsibility to give back to the community in any way.â€
Black has hosted events and fundraisers for Children’s Aid Foundation, Special Olympics Canada, Sick Kids and pc28¹ÙÍøRaptors president Masai Ujiri’s non-profit, Giants of Africa, and has travelled to developing countries to work on documentaries with Plan International Canada, a global organization advocating for girls’ rights. He’s also deeply involved in local issues and volunteers at shelters in downtown Toronto. He’s won the Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for his volunteer work as well. Twice.
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“Maybe the reason I do so much volunteering is because I live in this world of athletic achievements and excess, where professional athletes probably make a bit too much money, and maybe broadcasters do too,†says Black. “Volunteering gives me a really good perspective. It’s enlightening, empowering and sometimes sad. But as sad as it can be, it can be just as uplifting.â€
One of those uplifting experiences was meeting Tobin Haas, a young boy battling a brain tumour. Black first met Haas through a charity golf tournament for Sick Kids and has kept in touch ever since: “I watched him grow from a charming little boy into a remarkable man. I’m strengthened by his courage.â€
Black also enjoys visiting local schools and meeting young students and, hopefully, inspiring them to pursue their dreams. It’s something he looks forward to doing again after the pandemic. “One day, I’d like to start a campaign and bring some athletes with me to schools,†says Black. “Some say kids aren’t as social [these days], but I disagree. The youth of today are so powerful. They have the ability to change the world like never before. I just hope that some of those kids who are a little more vulnerable are able to be a part of that.â€
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