Rob Kerr
Bell Memorial - Inducted 2019
Rob Kerr broadcasted with Sportsnet from May 2003 to August 2018 and was the radio host on Sportsnet 960 The Fan in Calgary for twelve years. He developed a loyal following of listeners and became well known for his long-form, one-on-one interviews with the newsmakers in sport. Rob brought passion, knowledge, and enthusiasm to the airwaves and knew how to ask the tough questions while still being respectful to his guest(s). He didn’t shy away from controversy, and more often than not, shed light on topics that deserved it. From 2011 to 2014 he was the play-by-play voice of the Calgary Flames.
Rob began his career in broadcasting as a volunteer with ABC TV 10 in Fort McMurray. From 1992 until 1995 he was the television play-by-play voice of the Fort McMurray Oil Barons. He moved to Saskatchewan and for three seasons, from 1997 to 2000, was the radio play-by-play voice of the Estevan Bruins. Between 2000 and 2003, Rob worked in Edmonton as a co-host and producer on John Short’s radio show. Rob and John, along with their partners, created anysportanytime.com which broadcasted various high school, junior, college and minor pro sports on the web. In 2002, Rob hosted his own show for the first time, on AM 930.
After his move to Calgary and Sportsnet in 2003, Rob also took on duties as a reporter, blogger and producer. He filled in on radio broadcasts for games of the Calgary Hitman, Calgary Roughnecks and Calgary Vipers and from 2008 to 2010, was the play-by play voice of the Calgary Flames on PPV.
Away from the microphone, Rob was a positive force in the community. As an advocate, he created and fostered partnerships within the community to cover and discuss topics such as “Arena Shortages”, “Concussion Awareness”, and youth participation.
As an event organizer and event fundraiser, he organized three Henry Burris All Star Weekend Galas and the Centre Ice Challenge for Big Brothers Big Sisters from 2009 to 2012. He also created a Hockey Camp for disadvantaged youth that used volunteers from the local media and hockey community. He became the co–host of the Craig Conroy’s Let’s Talk Hockey event and raised funds for the PREP program. In 2013, he initiated the Celebrity Shoot to Score for Kids, an annual trapshooting event that benefited KidSport and the Flames Even Strength Program. In 2016, he started ‘Hockey is For Everyone’, an event that introduced new Canadians, new fans, and families to the basics of the game.
In 2018, he created the annual Hockey Inspires Leadership Day for Pee Wee and Bantam aged players and in 2019, he co-created the SuperHeroes program to allow athletes with Down syndrome and Autism play hockey.
Rob received the Marty Knack Award in 2007 “for his outstanding passion and coverage of the Alberta Junior Hockey League by a media member”, and the Hockey Calgary Award of Merit in 2010 “for his support of minor hockey in Calgary”.
