ESPN’s Antonelli to Serve as Emcee for 12th Annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – University of Miami Athletics announced Wednesday that ESPN college basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli will serve as emcee for the 12th annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics presented by adidas on Sunday, April 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Lakeside Village Expo.
The Celebration of Women’s Athletics honors current Miami female student-athletes from each of UM’s women’s programs for excellence on the playing field, as well as in the classroom and community.
Antonelli is one of the most influential voices in the women’s game as a standout player, marketing executive and broadcaster for nearly four decades. She has called women’s and men’s college basketball for ESPN, ACC Network, Longhorn Network and SEC Network, as well as CBS Sports, Fox Sports, RAYCOM Sports, Big Ten Network, NBA TV and Westwood One. She has also served as a WNBA analyst since the league’s inception, including a combined 23 years with the Indiana Fever and Charlotte Sting.
In addition to annually calling NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament games for ESPN, Antonelli became the first woman in 21 years to call an NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament game when she worked first-round games in 2017, a role she has occupied ever since for CBS and Turner Sports.
“We are honored to have Debbie serve as the emcee for the CWA this year,” Deputy Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator Rachelle Paul said. “She is a pioneering broadcaster and tireless advocate for women’s athletics. We are excited to welcome her to the University of Miami for one of our signature annual events.”
Antonelli, who played at NC State under legendary coach Kay Yow, has received numerous accolades throughout her career, including two Emmy Awards and a Gracie Award. She was inducted in the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022 and the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. She was inducted into NC State Women’s Basketball Ring of Honor in 2024.
“I am honored to be part of this special night and experience greatness in women’s athletics at The U,” Antonelli said. “Financial support provides opportunity, access and the platform for extraordinary achievement. Heck yeah, I want to be part of this energetic night!”
For ticket and sponsorship information for the 12th annual Celebration of Women’s Athletics presented by adidas click here.
Sponsors*
Stuart Miller
Kadre Family
The Lennar Foundation
Leslie Miller
Tina Beltran Miller & Jeffrey Miller
Judi Prokop Newman
Jodi & David Epstein
Fain Family Foundation
Ambassadors Sue & Chuck Cobb
Jose Mas
OmegaXL Sport
Stephen Cerrone
Echevarria Family
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Fairholme Foundation
Tricia Cullop
Dolphins Cancer Challenge
BJ Abolt & Mary Anne Biddiscombe
Dr. Jennifer McCafferty-Fernandez & Rudy Fernandez
Paola & Steve Saiontz
Patricia Menendez Cambo
Jr. Orange Bowl
The Hon. Donna E. Shalala
Sponsor in-kind
ABC Bartending School of Miami
*as of 4/1/26
