2008 Woodie Awards
ESPN VP Speaks at Pitt Center
Driessen Speaks for Women in Business Series
Ariane Rasmussen Contributing Writer
Issue date: 4/21/05 Section: News
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As said by Mary Young, Sacred Heart University's Vice President for Institutional Advancement, "The Women Leaders in Business Series brings exceptional corporate leaders to the campus of Sacred Heart University to impart their wisdom and experiences, so that our students can hear real success stories from the women who have risen to the top of their respective fields."
Driessen is an "exceptional corporatae leader" whose achievements have received public recognition in the sports business world. The Sports Business Journal named her one of the "Top Ten Female Sports Executives of the Year." In 1999, the Hartford Courant acknowledged Driessen to be amongst the "10 Who Make a Difference," and she was named one of the "Women to Watch" by Multichannel News.
Driessen's strength in the sports business world is not only made obvious by the public recognition she has received but also by the numerous contributions she has made to ESPN. Not only has she been instrumental in negotiating agreements for ESPN's foreign investments in Netstar Communications, Inc. in Canada, ESPN Star Sports in Asia, and ESPN Classic Europe, but Driessen has also played an important role in the successful launches of ESPN2, ESPNEWS, and ESPN The Magazine, as well as the acquisition of ESPN Classic and major programming rights, including the NFL, NBA, NHL, and Major League Baseball.
Perhaps John Gerlach, Professor at SHU's College of Business, describes Driessen the best, "In a person who has achieved so much success, Chris is very personable and down to earth."
In her presentation, Driessen explained how ESPN got to where it is now - being distributed in 147 countries and offered through a variety of products - and where it plans to be heading in the future.
Driessen opened her speech by reminding the audience that things take time and alot of hard work so that you can reach the position you desire and that makes you happy. She then went on by stating the phrase that constitutes the "core and essence of ESPN's business, 'To serve fans, wherever sports are watched, listened to, discussed, played, debated, or read."