Algonquin College’s Radio Star
Posted on Monday, July 17th, 2017
Stuntman Stu learned the art of broadcasting at the College
Algonquin College gave Stu Schwartz his voice – one that has become synonymous with Ottawa.
“They gave us the same tools as you would have in the industry,” he says of the College’s radio broadcasting program. Those tools have served “Stuntman Stu” – as he’s better known on air or behind a mic – throughout his boisterous career.
Since 2011, he’s been a weekday morning fixture on MAJIC 100’s “Stuntman Stu & Angie Poirier.” Before that came hosting stints like “Three Guys on the Radio” on Team 1200 AM, and his first real morning show job at 106.9 The Bear. The latter station gave him his first break in 1996 as a student intern and volunteer; he went on to work every timeslot.
In fact, Stu remembers getting a surprise job offer from his boss the day after he graduated from Algonquin. His voice was already being recognized as one-of-a-kind, but he would soon become known his on-air stunts – earning his namesake.
A number of Algonquin lessons standout to him: “time management,” how to “work as a group” and “be dependable,” and to never be afraid to ask questions. “Be a sponge,” he advises current students and rookie radio broadcasters.
Stu is also known for his public voice – and for regularly suiting up (off-ice) for the Ottawa Senators. He has been the public-address announcer for Sens’ home games since 2006, and also serves as Sens TV host, and emcee for Senators events. It’s only fitting that he’s an Algonquin grad, given the College and team “go hand-in-hand,” as he puts it.
Stu’s diverse career has also found him serving as PA announcer for the Ottawa Renegades and Ottawa Rebel Lacrosse, and during hockey games at the 2010 and 2014 Winter Olympics. He’s even filled in as weather host on CJOH TV. He’s also emceed and auctioneered all types of events – from golf tournaments to galas. Even that experience dates back to his student days when he recalls emceeing “every event on campus.”
But the Radio Broadcasting program has changed since he was a campus regular. “Hand me down” equipment from local radio stations has been replaced by new and cutting-edge gadgetry, he explains. Still, the program’s hands-on training remains the same – as does its student comradery. In fact, one of Stu’s classmates and friends – Dan Mellon – now runs the program. And Stu even met his wife in Algonquin’s classrooms.
“We had so much fun,” he recalls. “The nice thing about Algonquin is we didn’t have teachers who were just talking the talk. They lived it and breathed it. They were in the industry for a long time, or still in the industry. I always thought that was pretty cool. Here are these teachers that are going to work every day in their regular jobs and they are coming in and teaching us.” Stu pays that principle forward by coming back to the College regularly to work with students, including the annual Radio Broadcasting Graduate Forum.
The broadcaster’s voice has also become associated with courage and charity. During his recent battle against leukemia, he launched the #StuStrong campaign, in partnership with the Ottawa Hospital Foundation; Stu’s blog posts inspired other patients battling their own cancers. He also founded the popular No More Bullies campaign. A victim himself during high school, he employs his star power and experience to speak out against bullying.
Radio gave Stu a platform to be heard, but also to make a difference in people’s lives. He is the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal, and was awarded an honorary degree from Algonquin College in 2014.
His online profile jokes “not a Real Stuntman.” Everything else people hear from him – on or off the air – is the real deal: “I credit Algonquin for giving me the confidence to speak on front of 20,000 people.
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