Scholarship honours Broncos’ broadcaster Tyler Bieber

He was the voice of the Humboldt Broncos, now Tyler Bieber’s legacy will pave the way for those who share his dream of a career in broadcasting.

The 29-year-old was on board the Saskatchewan junior hockey team’s bus when it crashed with a transport truck north of Tisdale on April 6.

Sixteen people died and 13 others were injured.

On Friday, The Western Academy of Broadcasting (WABC) in Saskatoon announced the Tyler Bieber Memorial Scholarship.

“This is an individual who deserves our admiration,” WABC director Don Scott said.

“What he contributed to his community – in his coaching, and being a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters – tells you the kind of person he was.”

The $10,000 scholarship will be distributed, in varying denominations, between a few applicants each year.

Scott, along with local sports broadcasters, will award people who embody Bieber’s qualities.

“We’ll interview people and say there’s something about the character of this person, their drive and their desire, their demeanour, who they are – they are following in the steps of Tyler Bieber.”

Daren Millard, a 1990 graduate of WABC, is now with SportsNet in Toronto and was on hand for Friday’s announcement.

He said the hope is for the scholarship to help aspiring broadcasters make their way in the industry.

“Who can follow through and say, into their life as a broadcaster from the grassroots to the next level, ‘I won the Tyler Bieber scholarship fund.’”

While he never met Bieber personally, Millard spoke to the importance of remembering him as more than just the man behind the mic.

“He is a young man who has a passion for sports, a passion for broadcasting and a passion for life,” Millard said.

“He was going to call a playoff game that was as important to him as anything else that night.”

Bieber will also be honoured next season, as a number of well-known broadcasters have volunteered to call a Broncos game next season for free.