Debbie Antonelli

Antonelli was born and raised in Cary, North Carolina. From 1982-1986, Antonelli played at NC State University for coach Kay Yow at forward, starting in three of those seasons.[2] During her time at NC State, the Wolfpack made the NCAA Tournament four times and appeared in the Sweet Sixteen twice.[3]

After graduating from NC State, Antonelli moved on to Ohio University, where she spent the next year getting a master's degree in sports administration. While at Ohio, she served as the women's basketball student assistant coach.[4] After obtaining her Master's from Ohio, Antonelli spent the next four years as Director of Marketing at the University of Kentucky before moving on to a similar role at Ohio State University.[3]

Antonelli's time at Ohio State paved the way for her broadcasting career today. Upon her arrival, Ohio State did not have any televised women's sports, so Antonelli went to a local station and had them figure out how much it would cost to air eight women's games per season on local TV. Antonelli gathered the needed sponsors to produce those games, and as a bonus, became the play-by-play voice for those games.[2] She did Ohio State women's games for five years while also serving as an analyst for Dayton Flyers men's basketball games for three years.[3] She was also Ohio State's Director of Marketing. Antonelli and Frank were married in 1992. In 1995, her first child, Joey, was born. His birth helped settle her mind on sports broadcasting. Shortly thereafter, she would sign on as a full-time broadcaster.[4]

ESPN and CSTV eventually hired Antonelli as an analyst for select games; and the work would continue to grow. To this date Antonelli continues to broadcast through the Elite Eight for ESPN's NCAA Women's Tournament coverage. Additionally, Westwood One would hire her to be the analyst for their Final Four broadcasts; a position she has held since 2000.[3] One of her greatest achievements came in 2007 when she won the Women's Basketball Coaches Association Mel Greenberg Media Award which recognizes a member of the media who has best displayed a commitment to women's basketball and to advancing the role of the media in promoting the women's game.[5]

Currently, Antonelli lives in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina with her husband Frank, and their three children. During the off-season, Antonelli provides basketball camps and clinics for the local community.[2] Her family also run the foundation "Frankie and Friends," an organization whose main purpose is to stop bullying in schools.[6]