Jerry Howarth

Jerry Howarth

By Luke Barry

When Jerry Howarth dropped into The Centre for Creative Communications, Centennial College on Jan. 26 to speak with the graduate sports journalism program, two signs in the lobby caught his attention.

One said "Invent Yourself." The other "Imagine the Possibilities."

Howarth, for 28 years a play-by-play man with the Toronto Blue Jays, used those ideas to weave a message about passion and challenge with his own experiences in the sports industry.

"Follow your passion," Howarth told the aspiring sports journalists. "Don't be afraid to take on the challenge of it."

Howarth chatted about some of the challenges that will be faced in the years ahead and suggested some thoughts to keep in mind.

"Your talent will take you past what you learn, so pick an area you are good at and work on the fundamentals, as well as your flaws" Howarth said.

"Learning to stay in the moment, and knowing when to pull back from it, becomes easier with experience."

Howarth discussed his personal belief in taking life one day at a time, the importance of discipline, the benefits of creating positive daily routines and the unending pursuit of professionalism.

When not on the road travelling with the Blue Jays, Howarth resides in Toronto and coaches junior boys basketball at Etobicoke Collegiate.

The Sports Journalism program features 12 courses over 12 consecutive months and is unique in Canada. It offers training in print, online, radio and television and finishes with a six week professional placement.

For more information about the Sports Journalism Program, contact program coordinator Malcolm Kelly at mkelly@centennialcollege.ca.