Radio sports broadcaster Ron Barnet, affectionately known as “Barney,” has had an extraordinary career of longevity in Canadian football broadcasting.
Ron began in Lethbridge before moving to Red Deer, Alberta, in 1961 as Sports Director of a local station. In 1962, he joined CKRM Regina as a sports announcer for 2.5 years, then CKXL Calgary in 1964 for 1.5 years. In 1967, he returned to Regina and began an 18-year career at CKCK Radio, covering the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
In 1982, BC Football Hall of Fame inductee and CKNW Sports Director Al Davidson recognized Ron’s football broadcasting talent and hired him at CKNW. There, Ron worked sidelines, hosted post-game shows, filled in as play-by-play voice for the BC Lions, and filed duty reports for CKNW and CKWX. In 1987, he also covered Calgary Stampeders games while continuing his BC Lions duties, commuting between Vancouver and Calgary in a demanding schedule.
Beyond football, Ron contributed to Vancouver Canucks broadcasts and served as play-by-play voice of the Vancouver Canadians. A native of Manyberries, Alberta, he was inducted into the Canadian Baseball Broadcast and Journalism Hall of Fame and saluted as a member of the Half Century Club.
Still a passionate supporter, Ron has not missed a BC Lions or CFL broadcast. His dedication makes him a truly deserving inductee into the Media category of the BC Football Hall of Fame.
