Forward/Rewind: Highlighting some examples of ESPN giving back in 2014

Editor’s Note: With this multi-week series — the Front Row Forward/Rewind, 2015/2014 — ESPN’s Communications Department takes the pulse of content executives and their properties throughout ESPN for views on what transpired in 2014 and a glimpse into 2015. It was a monster year for ESPN, with the success of the World Cup; the phenomenal launch of the SEC Network; the opening of Digital Center 2, the new home for SportsCenter and NFL Studio shows; and so much more. We can never encapsulate all the amazing things ESPN did this year, but the Forward/Rewind does its best to recognize the moments we’ll all remember.

1. Corporate Outreach

The Bristol Boys & Girls Club honored former ESPN executives George Bodenheimer and Rosa Gatti with the unveiling of the George Bodenheimer Technology Center and the Rosa Gatti Community Room in the new family center.

2. ESPN Marketing & Ad Sales

The V Foundation for Cancer Research’s “Team V”, featuring ESPN employees and others, participated in the NYC Marathon.

3. ESPN Deportes and ESPN International

Senior Director, ESPN Deportes Content, Oscar Ramos: About 200 volunteers from ESPN Deportes, ESPN International, The Walt Disney Company and the community combined to build a new KaBoom! Playground in Miami: “Giving to the community of Miami was an unforgettable way to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month; together we created a place for the children to play while inspiring kids and families to stay active in a safe environment.”

4. Corporate Outreach

ESPY Day, a first-year initiative, brought in more than $6.5 million to benefit The V Foundation through viewer donations, the ESPY Day Celebrity Golf Classic, an investment from Stand Up to Cancer and ESPN Radio’s 10th Annual ESPY Day Auction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2chglLNnsz8

5. ESPN Audio

Senior Vice President, ESPN Audio, Morris Davenport, on ESPN Radio’s 10th annual ESPY Day Auction to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research: “I was absolutely thrilled and honored to share with executives across the company what wound up being ESPN’s contribution to the V Foundation. I could not have been prouder of the commitment, the execution.” The old SportsCenter anchor desk sold for $26,100.

6. Corporate Outreach

In July, ESPN announced a $25,000 grant to the Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity to build a three-bedroom home for a U.S. veteran in Bristol, Conn. Scores of employees have helped with the volunteer effort.

7. NFL

Seth Markman, senior coordinating producer: “I’m proud that our team is consistently giving back, volunteering in the community, donating auction items, and offering behind-the-scenes tours and experiences. [ESPN NFL analyst] Cris Carter’s participation in the NFL PSAs on domestic violence and his comments in the aftermath of the Ray Rice and Adrian Peterson cases really stand out to me from this year.”

8. Corporate Outreach

ESPN announced that The Walt Disney Company donated $750,000 to the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center Foundation for a new pediatric ambulatory surgery center and neonatal intensive care ambulance. In the past year, more than 1,600 surgeries have been performed.

9. ESPN’s sixth annual “America’s Heroes Initiative” recognized Veterans Day

Ana Livia Coelho, Amy Phillips, Gabriela Nunez, Ardi Dwornik, Tara Chozet, Kristen Hudak, Bill Hofheimer, Allison Stoneberg, and Mac Nwulu contributed to this post.

Monday: Teamwork