'He connected with everybody': Remembering Regina sports broadcaster Warren Woods - Action News
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Saskatchewan

'He connected with everybody': Remembering Regina sports broadcaster Warren Woods

If you were to ask anyone who knew Warren Woods or "Woodsy" as many called him about his character, they would tell you the longtime Regina sports broadcaster was the same person on the air as he was off of it. Woods died on Wednesday after a battle with COVID-19. He was 66.

Woodsy died at age 66 from complications after contracting COVID-19

Beyond his passion for sports broadcasting, Warren Woods loved his family. He especially loved spoiling his grandchildren, Jack and Sloan. (Warren Woods/Facebook)

If you were to ask anyone who knew Warren Woods or "Woodsy"as many called him about his character, they would tell you the longtime Regina sports broadcaster was the same person on the air and off, a close colleague says.

Woods died on Wednesday after about a two-month battle with COVID-19. He was 66.

He is one of those guys that if youre in a bad mood, give Warren a call and go meet him for a beer and your spirits are lifted right away, said Craig Adam, a longtime friend and former colleague of the late Warren Woods. (Submitted by Craig Adam)

For years, Craig Adam covered sports with Woods at STV, which is now Global Regina. And even after going their separate ways (Adam into real estate and Woods into radio broadcasting) he said they remained close.

"There aren't many coworkers that you end up being best friends with, but that was Warren," Adam said with a light chuckle. "We used to always reminisce about the stories and they werealways the same stories, all the time, but they were such good memories that we would always have some amazing laughs."

'He connected with everybody'

Adam wasn't the only one drawn to Woods, he noted;many others were, too.

"He just had this likable attitude and this lovingness about him that everyone wanted to be his friend," Adam said. "I could not go anywhere with Woodsy for, like, five minutes; it would be an hour because he wanted to talk to everybody and everybody wanted to talk to him. That's just the kind of impact he had with everyone that he met."

For Woods, life was about connection. And that connection began with covering local sports from the high school and university levels to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Warren Woods worked as a sports anchor for STV, now Global Regina, for more than 20 years before making the move to radio broadcasting. (Submitted by Craig Adam)

"He connected with everybody and he connected with all genres of people from young to old, to all kinds of sports. I think that that's what he will be remembered for: touching so many different people in so many different facets of life," Adam said.

He added the tributes pouring in on social media are a reflection of that.

"Those stories of people growing up watching him on TV that's who they went to bed with every night at 11 p.m. that 'This is Sportsline with Warren Woods!' That's what they remember," he said. "And those are cherished memories by a lot of people. That's why I think he's had this profound effect on people across the country."

Outpouring of tributes online

In the wake of Woods'passing, many fans, friends, colleagues, politicians, athletes and sports organizations have spoken out on social media to pay their respects.

"I am saddened to hear of the passing of one of Saskatchewan's most popular sports broadcasters, Warren Woods. Saskatchewan lost a great friend today. For this night and only for Woodsy... Go Leafs," Premier Scott Moe, an Oilers fan, tweeted out Wednesday evening.

"Thank you for all the memories," the Regina Pats hockey team also wrote on Twitter. "Your tremendous passion for sports and the Queen City won't be forgotten."

"'Woodsy' covered the Saskatchewan Roughriders for more than three decades and his passion for local sports was unmatched. We will miss his smiling face at Mosaic Stadium," the football club wrote in a statement as well.

Talking to Woods'children, Adam said they're proud of the legacy their father is leaving behind.

"Nicole and Chris are also grateful for the outpouring of support Warren has received from across the country over the last seven weeks. It's comforting for them to know how many people cared about their dad," Woods'family wrote in a statement.

Warren Woods leaves behind two adult children, Chris and Nicole, and two grandchildren, Jack and Sloan. (Submitted by Nicole Woods)

'COVID is real'

Earlier this month, Adam said it had appeared Woods had "turned a corner" in his recovery.

A GoFundMe page was subsequently set up by Woods'friends to help pay for the medical supports he would have neededonce home from the hospital.

In roughly a day, the fundraiser's goal of $50,000 was eclipsed.

Curling was a big part of Warren Woods life; not only did he enjoy covering it, but he loved to play the game. (Kevin Jesus/Facebook)

However, in the weeks that followed, Adam said Woods' condition "took a turn for the worse," and it left many including himself in shock.

"It kind of proves the point that COVID is real; it affects people and it affects everybody differently," Adam said. "A lot of people will say, 'Well, it can't happen to me.' But it can."

With files from Mickey Djuric