Aagaard, Pace Honored by B&C for Technology Leadership

Broadcasting & Cable magazine honored the contributions of sports-technology leaders at NAB with the presentation of Technology Leadership Awards to Ken Aagaard, SVP of Operations and Production for CBS Sports, and VInce Pace, CEO of PACE and a leader in 3D production.

In accepting his award, Aagaard acknowledged the hard work of the production professionals and staffers he has worked with over the years as well as vendors that play an important role in driving new-technology initiatives like HD, high-speed cameras, and wireless HD transmission.

“With all the innovations we do, it’s really the vendors and manufacturers that give us these opportunities,” said Aagaard. “It was back in 1998 that Charlie Steinberg of Sony and I had lunch one day and decided to do some HD and Sony stepped up, so they really helped start that HD revolution in sports production. And LG Electronics stepped up and did the same thing for us with 3D. And as I look around this room, I see a lot of people who have taken those chances with me. So the truth is, I congratulate all of you and all the other honorees tonight.”

Vince Pace, who was recently involved with 3D productions of the NBA All-Star game, NCAA Men’s basketball Final Four, and the Masters golf tournament, cited early believers like camera operators Jeff Zachary and Deena Sheldon and the NBA’s Mike Rokosa and Steve Hellmuth, who were exposed to Pace’s 3D work at NAB by Sheldon and Zachary and quickly sprung into action. He also acknowledged Deb Honkus of NEP.

“Debbie stepped in and said she would support us, and we were pretty damn proud when the truck showed up and we could layer our equipment on top of it,” said Pace. “She believed in 3D, supported it, and helped it become viral.”

Pace called on all attendees at the event to help move 3D forward. “I am a firm believer 3D will not be the fad some people say it will be,” he said. “But it needs everyone in this room to believe that people want to see natural TV and images as they occur in front of their own eyes.”

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