UCLA’s Ken Norris To Receive Inaugural CSVS Pioneer Award

The Sports Video Group is pleased to announce that Ken Norris, director of video operations at UCLA, will be honored with the inaugural College Sports Video Summit Pioneer Award at this year’s CSVS at the Peachtree Plaza Hotel in Atlanta on June 7.

Serving in his role at UCLA for more than two decades, Ken “The Godfather” Norris is regarded as one of the most innovative and respected minds in the industry, having been named National Video Coordinator of the Year by his peers in the Collegiate Sports Video Association.

“Ken Norris was the obvious choice to be the recipient of the inaugural SVG College Sports Video Summit Pioneer Award,” says CSVS Chairman Tom Buffolano. “He is widely acclaimed as an innovator and thought leader in the development of technology, platforms, and production workflow for video, not only for UCLA and the Pac-12, but for all of college sports.”

Norris has overseen the development and implementation of the I2 Internet Exchange Program, which he implemented in the then Pacific-10 Conference. That venture was ahead of its time and now allows the conference’s 12 football programs to exchange coaching films through the Internet, bypassing the use of videotape. Norris is currently assisting other sports and other athletic conferences in implementing the I2 program.

“[Ken’s] influence extends to those who are now in similar positions in both college and professional sports, and he is seen as a mentor to many who now pursue video production as a career,” adds Buffolano. “Ken approaches his craft with passion and humility, and he sets a high standard for those who will receive this award in the future.”

Today, Norris and his staff are also responsible for filming instructional and highlight footage for almost every UCLA athletic program. They create many of the teams’ year-end highlight films.

Norris began his career working for the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams at age 13, splicing and editing 16mm film. He joined UCLA in 1989, replacing Stan Troutman after the legendary cinematographer retired from the university. Norris has, in turn, established a respected tradition as his own.