Greg Estabrooks, local Cogeco television anchor and producer, is the 2016 recipient of the Peter Handley Friend of Sport Award. Named in honour of revered and long-time sports broadcaster Peter Handley, the award celebrates individuals who have contributed to community sport beyond the limelight: the unsung heroes who quietly dedicate their time without recognition.
There is no question that Greg Estabrooks has significantly contributed to the growth of sport in our community. Through his involvement in local media, Greg has dedicated himself to promoting local sports teams and athletes for decades. No doubt most North Bay citizens have seen him quietly go about the business of setting up his camera to get just the right shot, or readying his microphone to ask a few questions of the hero of the day.
Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Estabrooks has lived in North Bay on and off since 1966, and more permanently since 1989. As an “air force brat”, Estabrooks remained in North Bay long enough to graduate from Widdifield Secondary School in 1979, and receive his Canadore diploma in Radio Broadcasting in 1985.
The communities within which Estabrooks has established his career in media include the following: Dauphin, Manitoba (1985), Dawson Creek, BC (1986), Kirkland Lake with CJKL (1986-87), Timmins with MCTV (1987-89), North Bay with MCTV (1989-2001, with 10 years as Sports Director), and currently with Cogeco North Bay since 2001.
Estabrooks notes the biggest stories he has covered include the North Bay Centennials Memorial Cup drive in 1994, the Centennials drive to Saginaw in 2001-02, the Battalion move to North Bay in 2013 and the subsequent playoff runs in 2014 and 2015. He also covered the Canadian Midget Baseball Championships in 1994-96.
Estabrooks has covered many other local sports stories, including those of Olympians Kate Pace and Steve Omischl. He has particularly enjoyed calling NDA football games, especially final games between long time rivals.
Estabrooks called the 2007 Hockeyville game between the New York Islanders and the Atlanta Thrashers.
For the first time, Greg Estabrooks is the centre of much deserved media attention rather than the person behind the camera.
Greg Estabrooks is married to Tammy, and they have four children: Alyssa, Kayla, Erin and Ethan. Estabrooks will receive his award at the North Bay Sports Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Dinner on May 6th at the Best Western (Lakeshore).
Estabrooks will take his award and put it in his very clean, and currently empty Minnesota Vikings trophy case.
Tickets are available from any Executive Committee member, by calling Chair Bill Jacko at 705-476-1429, or emailing Karen Cobb at [email protected]
