Debbie Antonelli

Debbie Antonelli, a 1986 NC State graduate, has been a major influence in the women’s college basketball circles for 35 years and has served as an analyst for ESPN in numerous capacities. Her announcing career also includes calling games for CBS, Fox Sports Net, Big Ten Network, NBATV and Westwood One, as well as WNBA games. The Cary, N.C. native became the first woman in nearly 22 years to call an NCAA men’s basketball tournament game in 2017 and now regularly broadcasts "March Madness" games for both men and women. Antonelli was a four-year letterwinner with the Wolfpack under the guidance of legendary head coach Kay Yow, helping NC State to four NCAA Tournament appearances, including two Sweet 16 berths. In addition to her ACC Network women’s basketball duties, Antonelli also serves as an analyst on men’s college basketball telecasts and sometimes calls both women's and men's games in the same day. She now lives in Mount Pleasant, S.C, with her husband Frank. They are the parents of three boys.  Her charity work includes an annual free-throw marathon where Antonelli makes 100 free throws every hour for 24 straight hours in her driveway. By doing that and soliciting contributions for each free throw made, the 58-year-old Antonelli has raised close to a million dollars for the Special Olympics. In this conversation, Antonelli talks about motherhood, the start of her broadcasting career in Kentucky, and the evolution of women's basketball. Sports Legends of the Carolinas is hosted by Scott Fowler. It's produced by Loumay Alesali, Jeff Siner and Kata Stevens. McClatchy's director of audio is Davin Coburn. Our interns on this production are Christina Silvestri and Zoe Williams. For lots more on the show, visit https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sportslegends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices