By Chad Klassen

Seitz earns his long-awaited place in Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame

Feb 20, 2019 | 5:00 AM

KAMLOOPS — From the time he started in broadcasting as a fresh-faced 20 year old in Cranbrook, Earl Seitz could never have imagined one day getting the nod for any sports hall of fame. 

He was just living out a dream that he’s continued for the last 50 years.

“I never thought anything about halls of fame, I never thought about lasting 50 years, going on 51 years now,” he said. “I never thought about where I might end up or what I might be doing. It just never, ever crossed my mind. I’ve been lucky in a lot of ways. I’ve worked with some great people.”

On Wednesday (Feb. 20), Seitz was formally announced as one of four inductees into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame, an honour that Seitz doesn’t necessarily think he deserves but one by which he is humbled.

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“It’s a great honour to be inducted into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame. There are so many great people there already, and now to be able to join elite company like that is really something special,” noted Seitz. 

Seitz started his career in 1968 as a radio DJ in Cranbrook. It wasn’t until he landed in Nelson in 1970 that he made the switch to sports. He arrived in Kamloops in 1974 to be the play-by-play man for the Chiefs on 910 CFJC before quickly becoming the face of CFJC Sports on television.

It has been 45 years for Seitz in Kamloops, a time to gather many memories of his time covering the sporting arena in Canada’s Tournament Capital.

Coupled with having the pleasure to cover young athletes like Mark Recchi and Dylan Armstrong who have gone on to great things in their respective sports, Seitz vividly remembers the Blazers’ heyday when they became the first team to win three Memorial Cups in four years.

“Having been there to cover each of those all stand out,” he said. “I don’t think that’ll every be done by any team ever again because things are so competitive. 

According to friends and colleagues, Seitz has been the heartbeat of the Kamloops sports community since he arrived. Don Moores, who first met Seitz while playing for the Kamloops Chiefs, is happy he’s finally being recognized for his work. 

“There isn’t a person more deserving of going into the Kamloops Sports Hall of Fame than Earl Seitz,” noted Moore. “He’s iconic in Kamloops. He really is. He’s been the guy that’s talked about our community and the sports world for many years.”

Doug Collins, the former CFJC news director who is good friends with Seitz from their 45 years together in Kamloops, says this honour is long overdue. 

“The man has been a consummate professional, and I say that in the highest esteem possible. He’s really made his mark by being a truly professional sportscaster,” said Collins. 

“He’s done a tremendous amount to promote the community and the sports world. He’s been so active in so many sports over the years, whether it be the junior hockey team, whether it be the international baseball tournament (KIBT). Just about everything you can mention in sports in Kamloops, Earl has had a hand in.”

While he says he’s in the twilight of his career, still on the sports desk nightly, Seitz says his time in broadcasting, bringing the stories of local athletes to the people, has been the most satisfying part of his life, outside of friends and family. 

“When I came here in 1974, I came for a year,” he said. “It’s been a long year. But it’s been… I can’t describe how fulfilling it’s been over these 45 years.”