Jim Coleman

Coleman, James

James Coleman (Jim), journalist (b at Winnipeg 30 Oct 1911; d at Vancouver 14 Jan 2001). Coleman grew up in the 1920s criss-crossing North America to attend sporting events. His love of horse racing, hockey and Canadian football he credited to his father, D'Alton COLEMAN, a former newsman who had risen in the ranks of the Canadian Pacific Railway to vice-president. James Coleman began his career in 1931 working at the Winnipeg Tribune. After a brief career with the Edmonton Tribune and the Edmonton Bulletin, he went to Toronto to write for the Globe and Mail. When his column was syndicated in 1950, he became the most widely read sports columnist in Canada. During his career he also wrote for Canadian Press and the Southam Press, retiring in 1983. His autobiography, Hoofprints on My Heart (1971), reflected his love for horse racing. Hockey Is Our Game (1987) reflected on 50 years of avid hockey viewing. From 1952 to 1962 he was the publicity director for the Ontario Jockey Club. In retirement he held for 3 years the same position at Calgary's Stampede Park. His awards include the Order of Canada, Canadian News Hall of Fame, Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame and the Canada Sports Hall of Fame.