As we all know, on October 16th, that moment actually happened—a last-second development Lloyd calls one of the highlights of the local sports season.
“When the losing streak ended,” Lloyd recounts, “it was euphoric. Like winning the Grey Cup. I even got a little emotional; it reminded me of going to games with my dad. That’s what sport does,” he philosophizes. “It connects people. It’s a conduit to relationships.”
Lloyd and Rodenburg have been fostering those relationships since the first day TSN 1200 went on the air. They’ve brought Ottawa’s fans so much, including occasions they count as personal favourites. “Hosting pre and post-game shows when the Sens were in the 2007 Stanley Cup Final is right up there,” cites Lloyd. As for Rodenburg, he lists, “The Grey Cup parade of 2016. Also, Atlético Ottawa’s two at-home championship finals. But honestly,” he adds, “what I’ve enjoyed most was watching my own kids play sports. I think anyone who does what we do would say they enjoy seeing that the most.”
Family, for both Lloyd and Rodenburg, is a serious responsibility—not easy in a profession involving so much watching and travelling, not to mention being at your analytical best from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. But testing oneself is what sports is all about, whether you’re a player or a commentator—or, in Ottawa, a fan.
“Being a sports fan means enduring ups and downs,” Rodenburg explains. “That’s just how it works. But being a sports fan in Ottawa means a lot of downs. They’ve had more than their fair share of losing teams and crazy owners. Fortunately, the latter looks like it’s turning a corner.”
“Ownership is huge,” Lloyd corroborates. “Ottawa is a city that behaves like a small town. Word gets around quickly when things are good, and when things are bad. Not always, but when things go sideways with an Ottawa sports team, there’s a history of ownership issues that go hand in hand.”
“People in Ottawa,” Rodenburg concludes, “embrace authenticity.”
No doubt why the honest dialogue between Lloyd and Rodenburg continues to be the city’s go-to source for the proper read on any given situation, whatever the sport in our increasingly diverse tapestry.
“The sports culture in Ottawa may be the best in Canada right now,” Rodenburg maintains. “Ottawa definitely punches well above its weight.”
That culture includes the collegiate scene, a phenomenon Lloyd attributes to Canadian college basketball legend Dave Smart. “Dave turned what was just another basketball program at Carleton University into a dynasty that was recognized on both sides of the border. That led to the elevation of other programs both at Carleton and the University of Ottawa, allowing people to realize that Canadian University sport can be really good, too.”
“The fact that you have two schools creates a natural rivalry,” Rodenburg points out. “The schools have done a good job tapping into that with one-off rivalry games like Panda and Capital Hoops, both of which draw huge crowds.”
But Lloyd and Rodenburg’s extensive coverage goes further than that. They’re the voices of the Myers Team of the Week campaign, a feature that honours young, local heroes. “Support from Mom, Dad, friends, and family is always important,” Lloyd affirms, “but when a kid gets a little recognition from outside that bubble, it means a lot.”
For Lloyd and Rodenburg, though, it’s one more thing to keep an eye on, albeit happily, in an occupation that keeps you busier than a myopic goalie. Somehow, though, they make room for life beyond their passion.
“As far as work-life balance,” says Lloyd, “I’ve had that for most of my adult life. My wife and two daughters aren’t big sports fans. I’m Joe Nobody at home. We have other things we connect on, which is the way it should be.”
Says J.R., “I have a very understanding and supportive family. They get what I do and how important it is to me. I just try to be sure I’m there for all the important things as much as possible. My message to the guys I work with is this: Family comes first.”
And when it comes to Ottawa’s sports family, TSN 1200’s Lloyd and Rodenburg come first.
