Jack Wells
Encyclopedia
John Hampson "Jack" Wells (May 13, 1911 in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
– May 26, 1999), also known as Cactus Jack, was a Winnipeg-based radio and television broadcaster specializing in sports.
Wells's career began in 1936. While listening to a hockey broadcast on CFQC, Wells boasted he could do a better job than the guy on the mike. Dared by a chum to prove his claim, Jack applied for a job at the station, and was hired.
In 1939, he joined CJAT-FM
in Trail, British Columbia
as an all-round announcer and play-by-play man for the Trail Smoke Eaters
.
In 1941, he got a job as a sports announcer at CJRW
in Winnipeg
. CJRC provided Wells with his first experience in football broadcasting, and he began calling games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
. Jack became a free-lance broadcaster after gaining the exclusive rights to broadcast from Shea's Amphitheatre
and Osborne Stadium
which, in turn gave him the right to sell time to any one of the Winnipeg stations.
It was during an announcing stint on CKY
that Jack acquired his nickname. When Jack filled in for Porky Charbonneau on his western show, it occurred to Wells that he should have a moniker and adopted "Cactus" and it became one of the most famous in Canadian broadcasting.
During his career, Jack Wells broadcast on four Winnipeg stations - CKRC, CKY, CJOB and CFRW. In the early 50s, he became the first television voice of Western Conference
Football for the CFL on CBC
. In 1952, Wells turned down the play by play job on Hockey Night in Canada
to remain in Winnipeg. The job eventually went to the Danny Gallivan
.
Wells was closely associated with the national curling scene, beginning in 1952 when he covered his first Macdonald Brier. In the following years, Wells reported on provincial events in Manitoba, the Brier, the women's Macdonald Lassie and the World Curling Championships
. Wells was appointed Head of Public Relations in Western Canada for Macdonald Tobacco
in 1970.
Wells was inducted to the CAB Hall of Fame in 1988. In recognition of his broadcasting career the City of Winnipeg named a street linking Canad Inns Stadium
and the former site of Winnipeg Arena
after him. He is an “Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
.
His son, John Wells
, worked with him at CKY and later became the first football play-by-play man at TSN
.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is a prairie province in Canada, which has an area of . Saskatchewan is bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, and on the south by the U.S. states of Montana and North Dakota....
– May 26, 1999), also known as Cactus Jack, was a Winnipeg-based radio and television broadcaster specializing in sports.
Wells's career began in 1936. While listening to a hockey broadcast on CFQC, Wells boasted he could do a better job than the guy on the mike. Dared by a chum to prove his claim, Jack applied for a job at the station, and was hired.
In 1939, he joined CJAT-FM
CJAT-FM
CJAT-FM is a Canadian radio station that broadcasts a hot adult contemporary format at 95.7 FM in Trail, British Columbia and is also heard in Castlegar at 90.3 FM and Grand Forks at 103.3 FM, including other rebroadcasters.-History:...
in Trail, British Columbia
Trail, British Columbia
Trail is a city in the West Kootenay region of the Interior of British Columbia, Canada.-Geography:Trail has an area of . The city is located on both banks of the Columbia River, approximately 10 km north of the United States border. This section of the Columbia River valley is located between the...
as an all-round announcer and play-by-play man for the Trail Smoke Eaters
Trail Smoke Eaters (senior)
The Trail Smoke Eaters were a senior level men's ice hockey team from Trail, British Columbia that played from 1926 to 1987. They are recognized as being one of the best senior hockey teams in Canadian history...
.
In 1941, he got a job as a sports announcer at CJRW
CFWM-FM
CFWM-FM is a radio station based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The station, broadcasting at 99.9 FM, uses the on-air brand and format Bob FM. Its studios are located at 1445 Pembina Highway, along with sister stations, FAB 94.3 and TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg....
in Winnipeg
Winnipeg
Winnipeg is the capital and largest city of Manitoba, Canada, and is the primary municipality of the Winnipeg Capital Region, with more than half of Manitoba's population. It is located near the longitudinal centre of North America, at the confluence of the Red and Assiniboine Rivers .The name...
. CJRC provided Wells with his first experience in football broadcasting, and he began calling games for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a Canadian football team based in Winnipeg, Manitoba. They are currently members of the East Division of the Canadian Football League . They play their home games at Canad Inns Stadium, and plan to move to a new stadium for the 2012 season.The Blue Bombers were founded...
. Jack became a free-lance broadcaster after gaining the exclusive rights to broadcast from Shea's Amphitheatre
Shea's Amphitheatre
Shea's Amphitheatre, also known as the Winnipeg Amphitheatre, was an indoor arena located in Winnipeg, Manitoba, which seated 5,000 spectators....
and Osborne Stadium
Osborne Stadium
Osborne Stadium was the home of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1935 until 1952 and minor league baseball team Winnipeg Reo Rods. Located in a residential neighbourhood, the stadium required removal of existing houses in the area called West Broadway...
which, in turn gave him the right to sell time to any one of the Winnipeg stations.
It was during an announcing stint on CKY
CKY-FM
CKY-FM is a Canadian radio station, which broadcasts a adult contemporary format on 102.3 FM in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is owned by Rogers Radio, and shares studios with sister station CITI-FM. CKY-FM competes with Hot 103 and Energy 106.-History:...
that Jack acquired his nickname. When Jack filled in for Porky Charbonneau on his western show, it occurred to Wells that he should have a moniker and adopted "Cactus" and it became one of the most famous in Canadian broadcasting.
During his career, Jack Wells broadcast on four Winnipeg stations - CKRC, CKY, CJOB and CFRW. In the early 50s, he became the first television voice of Western Conference
Canadian Football League West Division
The West Division is one of the two regional divisions of the Canadian Football League. Although the CFL was not founded until 1958, the West Division and its clubs are descended from earlier leagues.-Pre-1936:...
Football for the CFL on CBC
CFL on CBC
CFL on CBC was a presentation of Canadian Football League football aired on the CBC Television Network. CBC held broadcast rights for the CFL from 1952 to 2007...
. In 1952, Wells turned down the play by play job on Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada
Hockey Night in Canada is the branding used for CBC Sports' presentations of the National Hockey League...
to remain in Winnipeg. The job eventually went to the Danny Gallivan
Danny Gallivan
Danny Gallivan was a Canadian radio and television broadcaster and sportscaster.-Early life and career:Born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Gallivan began his broadcast career at a local radio station in Antigonish, Nova Scotia while attending St. Francis Xavier University...
.
Wells was closely associated with the national curling scene, beginning in 1952 when he covered his first Macdonald Brier. In the following years, Wells reported on provincial events in Manitoba, the Brier, the women's Macdonald Lassie and the World Curling Championships
World Curling Championships
The World Curling Championships are annual curling events which showcase the world's best curlers, organized by the World Curling Federation. There are men's, women's and mixed championships. The men's championship started in 1959, while the women's in 1979...
. Wells was appointed Head of Public Relations in Western Canada for Macdonald Tobacco
Macdonald Tobacco
The Macdonald Tobacco Company was founded in 1858 by William Christopher Macdonald and his brother Augustine. Initially called McDonald Brothers and Co., the company procured tobacco leaf from suppliers in the southern United States that was converted to pipe and chewing tobacco at their small...
in 1970.
Wells was inducted to the CAB Hall of Fame in 1988. In recognition of his broadcasting career the City of Winnipeg named a street linking Canad Inns Stadium
Canad Inns Stadium
Canad Inns Stadium is a Canadian football stadium located north of Polo Park Shopping Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Stadium, named for hotel chain Canad Inns, and originally completed in 1953, seats 29,533 for football...
and the former site of Winnipeg Arena
Winnipeg Arena
Winnipeg Arena was an indoor arena located at 1430 Maroons Road in Winnipeg, Manitoba, across the street from Canad Inns Stadium and just north of Polo Park.Built in 1955, it was owned by community-owned Winnipeg Enterprises Corporation...
after him. He is an “Honoured Member” of the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame
The Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame and Museum was established in 1985 when the first honoured members were named and plaques were erected in their honour. The first group of inductees was large in order to recognize the accomplishments of Manitoba players, coaches, builders and teams at the...
.
His son, John Wells
John Wells (sportscaster)
John Wells is a Canadian sportscaster. His most recent show, which ended in April 2008, was Wells And Company on CJOB radio in Winnipeg. He broadcast Canadian Football League games for over 30 years. He is the son of "Cactus" Jack Wells.-Early life and career:Wells broadcasting career began in...
, worked with him at CKY and later became the first football play-by-play man at TSN
The Sports Network
The Sports Network, commonly abbreviated as TSN, is a Canadian English language Category C specialty channel and is Canada's leading English language sports TV channel. TSN premiered in 1984, in the first group of Canadian specialty cable channels...
.