ESPN pioneer and technology guru Chuck Pagano inducted into Broadcasting & Cable Hall Of Fame

Last night, Chuck Pagano, an ESPN pioneer who joined the company shortly before the network went on the air in 1979 and now serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, joined a group of industry elites as one of this year’s Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame inductees.

Last night’s ceremony, the 22nd annual, is recognized as one of the leading industry events honoring the pioneers, innovators and stars of the electronic arts.

Above is an infographic depicting some of Pagano’s history with ESPN; below are tributes to Pagano on the occasion of his induction from some of his co-workers in addition to a photo gallery of the Waterbury, Conn. native through the years.

“Chuck is truly a worthy recipient of this honor. Everything we do at ESPN is underpinned by Chuck and his team. From the Digital Center, which transformed our capability to televise in HD, to the Emmy Award-winning virtual applications which significantly enhanced our studio show presentation, meaningful input and innovation from Chuck and his crew are at the crux of ESPN’s success in its mission to serve fans.”
—John Skipper, President, ESPN

“Chuck carries the culture of ESPN. He embodies teamwork, respect for others and constant innovation. I will never forget when he was giving me a tour of our Digital Center, which is a technological marvel. I asked him what he was most proud of and he opened a door, showing a closet where employees could hang their coats. He was surrounded by state-of-the-art equipment, yet focused on something so simple because it was important to his team. He is extremely deserving of this honor.”
—George Bodenheimer, Executive Chairman, ESPN

“I’ve had the pleasure of working with Chuck for over 20 years. What I admire most about him is his incredible commitment to doing a massively complex job with little to no fanfare. He does all of this with a great sense of humor and with the utmost respect for his team. Chuck has taught me that family is as important as any job and he has given back so much to his family as well as to his fellow employees. Chuck has been a great leader for ESPN, a major part of ESPN’s success and a pioneer in technology for our media industry. Congratulations, my friend, on being inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.”
—Christine Driessen, Executive Vice President and CFO, ESPN

“It’s truly fitting that yet another of Waterbury’s favorite sons makes it to the big time. Chuck and his team have played an integral role in every signature moment in ESPN’s history. Congratulations, Chuck, and thanks for guiding us along a path many of us barely understood; but we knew enough not to worry because you were at the helm.”
—Ed Durso, Executive Vice President, ESPN

“Chuck has been an integral part of ESPN’s success since our inception and has left his fingerprints on virtually every aspect of our business. He is a thought leader in the media industry and has created a platform at ESPN that positions us to lead well into the future. I could not be more pleased about the committee’s selection of Chuck for this prestigious award and I am personally very proud to call him a friend.”
—Sean Bratches, Executive VP, Sales and Marketing

Infographic by Samantha Baron