Photo By Sgt. Edward Balaban | Brett Hansen, Fox Sports Arizona director of communications and marketing and Maj....... read more read more
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By Sgt. Kelly Anne Beck
PHOENIX - Fox Sports Arizona won the Governor’s Award for their production, “This One’s For You!”, at the 33rd Annual Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards held at the Sheraton Downtown Phoenix, Oct. 9. The Governor’s Award is the most prestigious award given at this event.
"This One’s For You!” is Fox Sports Ariz.’s annual July 4 production where Arizona Army National Guard soldiers deployed overseas speak to their loved ones back home during a televised Arizona Diamondbacks game through a two-way live satellite feed.
“It’s our job to televise athletes, but it’s the soldiers overseas who are the real heroes and that’s why we love doing this show,” said Brett Hansen, Fox Sports Ariz. director of communications and marketing. “It’s exciting to be able to see the looks on the family members faces, there’s really nothing like it.”
This past July 4, during the Diamondbacks and Dodgers game at Chase Field, nearly 70 Ariz. National Guard soldiers and family members were invited to the game. Not only did they watch the game, but during the network’s game coverage they spoke with their loved ones from the Ariz. Army National Guard’s 2nd Battalion 285th Assault Helicopter Regiment stationed in Iraq.
Fox Sports Ariz. established satellite feeds to three different locations in Iraq where the 2-285th Army National Guard soldiers were watching the game. Live interviews were conducted and the soldiers and their family members were able to interact throughout the telecast. The show was televised worldwide to American troops overseas via the American Forces Network.
This project means so much to us at Fox Sports Ariz. because it gives us a chance to highlight the sacrifices these soldiers and families make, said Mike Roth, the executive producer of “This One’s For You!”. It also lets us show our support to these brave men and women.
“This One’s For You!” requires a lot of coordination between Fox Sports Ariz. and the soldiers overseas because there are many variables to consider, such as weather conditions and the time difference.
“This project requires a lot of hard work, but it’s rewarding to be able to give back to the people who really deserve it,” said Mark Reda, a producer of “This One’s For You!”. “We are so appreciative of these men and women that it’s just our network’s way of being able to give back.”
This project has also helped establish a rewarding relationship between Fox Sports Ariz. and the Ariz. Army National Guard, said Roth.
The Ariz. Army National Guard appreciates all the dedication that is put into this project, said Maj. Gen. Hugo E. Salazar, the adjutant general and commanding general of the Ariz. National Guard. The show demonstrates how much the community cares about our soldiers overseas and it’s a testimony of everyone’s support.
If this telecast makes someone’s day a little easier or helps them forget how much they miss their loved ones, even if only for a minute, then we have succeeded in our mission, said Roth.
Fox Sports Ariz. takes great pride in the fact that this telecast allows them to focus on the true heroes of today, the men and women who serve their country.
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 10.11.2010 18:49 |
| Story ID: | 57908 |
| Location: | PHOENIX, AZ, US |
| Web Views: | 260 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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