George Gross (journalist)
George Gross | |
|---|---|
Canadian Sports Hall of Fame (2005) | |
| Honours | George Gross Memorial Trophy |
George Gross, O.Ont (born Juraj Gross; January 23, 1923 – March 21, 2008) was a Slovak-born Canadian sports journalist and soccer executive. He worked for several newspapers, most notably the Toronto Sun. He was a co-founder of the Eastern Canada Professional Soccer League.
Early life
Gross was born in Bratislava, Slovakia in January 1923.[1] As a journalist in Bratislava, he had been jailed by the post-Second World War communist regime in Czechoslovakia for his political views.[2] He eventually escaped from Austria by rowing, or swimming, across the Danube River.[1] Upon arriving in Canada, he earned a position as a farm hand but was unable to work the Cultivator.[2]
Career
After being fired as a farm hand, Gross accepted a freelance position with the Toronto Telegram, where he was eventually hired full-time in 1959.[3] Once the Telegram went bankrupt, he became the first sports editor at the Toronto Sun.[4] During his time with the Telegram and Sun, Gross won the 1974 National Newspaper Award, Dunlop Award, and authored three books.[5]
In 1985, Gross was inducted into the
In 2004, the Toronto Sun began its annual George Gross/Toronto Sun Sportsperson of the Year award.
Shortly after his death in 2008, the Canadian Soccer Association created the George Gross Memorial Trophy, awarded to the most valuable player of the annual Canadian Championship. As well, Tennis Canada announced renamed the Rexall Centre the George Gross Media Centre.[7]
Footnotes
- ^ a b "Remembering 'The Baron'". toronto.com. March 25, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ a b McGran, Kevin (March 22, 2008). "George Gross, 85: Sports journalist". Toronto Star. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ a b "Sports writing legend George Gross dies at 85". cbc.ca. March 21, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ O'Hara, Jane. "1999 George Gross". sportsmediacanada.ca. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ a b "George Gross". etobicokesports.ca. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
- ^ "Hockey headliners". Biddeford Journal Tribune. Maine. June 15, 1985. p. 12.
- ^ "Media centre named for George Gross". toronto.com. July 15, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
