‘HE WAS TOP CLASS’

The sudden passing of renowned sports journalists and broadcaster Donald Oliver has sent shockwaves across sporting and media landscapes.

Oliver, who had more than 20 years’ experience working with prominent media entities such as the RJR Communication Group, the CVM Communication Group, and SportsMax, where he last worked and served as senior producer, from February 2016 to the organisation’s closing earlier this year.

It was at SportsMax that Oliver really carved out a place for himself, especially as, arguably, the number-one football commentator across the region.

According to former SportsMax vice-president of marketing, Tanya Lee Perkins, Oliver became the voice of the station on promotions, features, or sports commentary.

The Jamaica Fotball Federation ambassador noted that although his main strength was his commentary, he also had very high standards for the other aspects of his journalism because he was passionate about and dedicated to his work.

“When he joined SportsMax, he joined as a producer and immersed himself in all areas of production.

“He was the voice of a lot of the station’s promos on track and field, cricket, football. And no matter what the match was, Donald puts his all into it, even if it’s not a final.

“He was so passionate about football, passionate about sports. He wanted to give everything that stamp of quality in magnifying the moment. And that’s what made him such a good commentator. He took pride in his work and wanted to magnify every moment,” said Lee Perkins, who is also head of Leep Marketing.

Stamp of approval

She disclosed that Oliver was a big fan and admirer of the work of English football commentator Peter Drury, from whom he sought advice on how to develop his craft

“He admired Peter Drury a lot. His commentary was patterned off Peter Drury, who is regarded as the best in the business.

“I remember him reaching out to Peter to ask what he could improve on. And Peter shared that he thinks he was doing a really good job. And that meant a lot to him, getting the stamp of approval from the best in the business.”

She added that local sports commentary, especially schoolboy football, where he might have left his greatest impact, will not be the same without Oliver’s mellifluous and witty commentary.

“This year, the schoolboy season is not the same without him. The commentary he brings, I think, was what lifted the coverage. Even players looked forward to it.

“Donald is a really wonderful soul. He was top class. A very good team player. Somebody we could depend on to produce first-rate material for the region.

“Every sport we presented, Donald Oliver brought his brand, which is a high standard of sports commentary, presenting and promoting. What he did was far-reaching and hard to replace.”

Veteran broadcaster, presenter, sports journalist and Oliver’s working colleague at SportsMax, Lance Whittaker, said from Oliver’s teenage years when he just started at RJR, he made an impression, and he believes Oliver was one of those who would carry on the legacy of quality sports broadcasters in Jamaica

“A consumate professional, who took his work very seriously. Donald had a natural gift with his voice. In the broadcasting business, it is a huge plus if you have a voice. And his voice was commanding and riveting. He sang very well. His vocal ability was multidimensional, and his voice was one of the assets he took to the field.

“One of the things about our business is succession planning. People continuing to build on what people before have set.

“I see myself coming after someone like Hugh Crosskill and Ed Barnes and was able to keep it at a certain level, and with somebody like Oliver, it was clear the talent was there to continue the legacy of quality sports broadcasting in Jamaica.

“He was excellence. So even when others have set the stage, there are others who keep it going and take it further.

“He is a huge loss. I am still in shock. It has really been a difficult day for me. It was a real plus when he came to SportsMax, not only with his football commentary, as that wasn’t his only strength. So it’s a huge loss,” said Whittaker.

A pure gentleman

He added that those who knew Oliver also knew that he was one of the most decent human beings they would have known as he was a pure gentleman.

“In this day and age where ethics and etiquette are disappearing, Donald was a gentleman and a decent person. The moment you met him, you knew he was kind-hearted, and as Jamaicans say, ‘Yuh spirit tek him’.

“It was a pleasure to see somebody like Donald lifting the quality of sports broadcasting and keeping it going at a level that people respect.

“Not only domestically or regionally but internationally because that is the level he tried to reach. And he did that.”

Tributes to Oliver have been pouring in from all quarters with sports minister Olivia Grange saying that the 40-year-old’s “distinctive voice and analytic capacity” stood out.

“Donald Oliver will be prominent among media practitioners remembered for their remarkable contribution to sports journalism in particular,” said Grange.

JFF interim general secretary voiced similar sentiments to Lee Perkins, likening his commentary to Drury’s.

“Donald Oliver was the Jamaica Peter Drury. Listening to him commentate was a joy, and he represented us all as Jamaicans proudly.”

The gen sec said the news of Oliver’s passing left him “distraught”, saying that his coverage of the 2010 World Cup for CVM stood out in his memory, making him stand up take note.

“And from then on I knew of his ability,” he said.

“I would like to send condolences to the entire sporting fraternity for the passing of an erudite footballing commentator.”

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com