Local Emmy winner makes difference for Sports Corp.

If you watch many sporting events on televsion, you've probably seen the work of Conrad Piccirillo. His finger prints too are on the works of many other sporting initiatives, televised or not, around central Indiana. For those efforts, Piccirillo will be front and center at Tuesday's Pathfinder Awards ceremony at the Indiana Roof Ballroom.

Piccirillo, president of Indianapolis-based Innovative, will receive the inaugural Difference Maker Award from Indiana Sports Corp. at the annual Pathfinder Awards gala.

The Difference Maker Award recognizes an individual who “has proven to be a reliable and inspirational leader through their ability to consistently make a meaningful impact in support of the Indiana Sports Corp. mission.”

“Conrad has been deeply involved in numerous successful Indiana Sports Corp. projects, including the 2012 Super Bowl bid effort, but never seeks attention or accolades for his stellar work,” said ISC President Allison Melangton. “He’s the type of person you want on your project team. Our community has a tremendous asset in Conrad Piccirillo.”

As an integral member of numerous bid efforts by Indiana Sports Corp. over the years that have secured premier events for Indiana, Piccirillo has orchestrated the visual elements that depict the city’s image, prestige and values, Melangton said.

From his first job with the National Playwright’s Conference and the National Theater of the Deaf, to his involvement with the first nine years of ESPN’s start-up, to his current position at the helm of Innovative, Piccirillo has earned six Emmy Awards for his direction and contributions to storytelling in sports, news, entertainment and technology.

Piccirillo and his company have worked on a wide range of sports-related projects inlcuding Super Bowl XLVI, NCAA My Coke Fest, ESPN Great Outdoor Games, ESPN X-Games, Indiana Pacers, Dallara and the Indianapolis 500. While his official title at Innovative is chief executive, Piccirillo has given himself another title: Chief Disorganizer. 

Piccirillo spent a combined 15 years working for ESPN and Disney and another 11 years working for Indianapolis-based Lingner Group Productions Inc., which is well known for its work in motorsports.

In addition to the presentation of the Difference Maker Award at this year’s luncheon, Jeff and Karen Saturday will be recognized as the Pathfinder Award recipients and Lynn Rogers will receive the Rev. Charles Williams Award. The event is sold out.