Debbie Antonelli’s journey, and voice, took her from the basketball court to Hall of Fame
READ MORE
The News & Observer Tar Heel of the Month
The News & Observer’s Tar Heel of the Month honors residents who have made significant contributions to the Triangle, North Carolina and beyond. At the end of the year, a Tar Heel of the Year is named. Do you want to nominate someone? Email metroeds@newsobserver.com.
Expand All
Basketball fans might not know Debbie Antonelli if she walked into a room, but as soon as she started talking, her voice would give her away.
For the past 34 years, Antonelli has broadcasted college basketball games. She’s been on the call for ESPN, ACC Network, NBATV and many more.
On March 5, she pulled off the North Carolina gauntlet, calling two semifinal games at the ACC women’s tournament, before booking it to Durham to call Mike Krzyzewski’s final game in Cameron Indoor Stadium against the UNC Tar Heels.
The two-time Emmy Award winner was inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. In February, Antonelli, a native of Cary, was named a member of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. The ceremony with Antonelli and seven other inductees, will take place June 11 in Knoxville.
Antonelli now lives in South Carolina, but her ties to the state run deep. She was a three-year starter on the N.C. State basketball team, playing for the legendary coach, the late Kay Yow. Antonelli helped the Wolfpack sweep the ACC regular-season and conference tournament titles during the 1984-85 season.
Off the court, she has sought to raise awareness and funds to help those with Down syndrome. Her middle son, Frankie, who has Down syndrome, inspired her to contribute to the Special Olympics through an annual fundraiser called 24 Hours Nothing But Net. She has raised thousands of dollars by shooting 100 free throws every hour for 24 hours.
She also is a board member of the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, named for her beloved coach who died in 2009 of breast cancer.
For her pioneering career as a woman in sports broadcasting, and for her philanthropic efforts to raise money for cancer research and to help those with Down syndrome, Antonelli is The News & Observer’s Tar Heel of the Month, which honors people who have made significant contributions to North Carolina and beyond.
Her broadcasting career started in November 1988 when she was 23. Antonelli was the first director of marketing at the University of Kentucky’s athletic department when a local cable company was looking to produce sports. The company started with the women’s basketball games, and Antonelli was hired to be the analyst at a tournament.
“Never crossed my mind, never thought of that as a career path,” Antonelli told The N&O in an interview. “There weren’t any games on for women’s basketball, first of all. This was when ESPN was still in its infancy. Producing or doing television sports wasn’t that big.
“That’s how I got my start. I did the game and instantly I realized this was everything I loved about the game.”
Antonelli loved studying basketball, she loved going to practice, coming up with strategies. Broadcasting was everything coaches did, but on a different platform. Broadcasting allowed her to stay close and maintain the passion she has for the game.
Today, she is in her 34th college basketball season, and she can be heard on TV calling games several times a week.
Antonelli married her husband, Frank, in 1992 and they have three sons, ages 27, 24, 20.
Antonelli talked to The N&O about her career and legacy.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
“I have no recollection of wanting to do anything when I was young, except for play sports. I went to graduate school thinking I was going to be an athletic director. I wanted to be an AD or be a coach.”
How do you see your role in the broadcasting community?
“My job is to be prepared, to be fair and to have fun on the air.”
What achievement are you most proud of?
“Getting Kay’s name on the court (at Reynolds Coliseum). That is my greatest athletic achievement. That happened in February of 2007.”
Who is your role model or inspiration?
“I have two role models. Kay Yow is obviously my basketball role model, because of my 30-year relationship with her as a camper and then playing for her. She has impacted me in her service to fighting cancer. Those all have a tremendous impact on me as a professional, and as a mother and as a wife.
“My other role model is Eunice Kennedy Shriver because of my son Frankie and my 24-hour fundraiser, ‘Nothing But Net.’ It’s a fundraiser for Special Olympics. (Shriver was the founder of Special Olympics.)
“My middle son has Down syndrome. My middle son is a full-time college student at Clemson at the Clemson Life program. He’s getting ready to graduate in April. That’s why Eunice Kennedy Shriver is such a role model for me because what I’m trying to with my fundraiser is the same thing she tried to do; try to raise money and opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities to play sports.”
What is a turning point in your life that helped define where you are today?
“It has to be becoming a mother. Three boys, one with special needs. I think that has to be the turning point in my life. All of the decisions, professionally and personally, are based around my three boys.”
Get to know Debbie Antonelli
What was the last book you read? “Why the Best Are The Best” by Coach Kevin Eastman. A book about hoops and how to lead.
What’s your favorite game that you called? “I have had many favorite moments. Pat (Summitt) and Geno (Auriemma)’s win No. 1,000. Tara (VanDerveer) passing Pat as the all-time wins leader in 2020. Most recently, UNC at Duke in Coach K’s last home game in Cameron is the best experience I’ve had in a career of games deciding WNBA and NCAA champions.”
Which famous person, living or dead, would you invite to dinner and why? “I would love to meet and visit with Eunice Kennedy Shriver. She founded Special Olympics. I admire her and I am trying to model my Special Olympic Fundraiser, 24HoursNBN.com with the same principles, leadership and vision she showed and that is to give people with intellectual disabilities a chance to play, compete and train and Special Olympics gives them that opportunity.”
Favorite quote: Kay Yow, “When life kicks you, let it kick you forward.”
What do you remember most about your childhood? “My childhood revolved around sports. I played Little League Baseball with the boys. I love to play and compete in many sports, but basketball was and still is my favorite. Our parents provided me and my sisters a solid foundation and we try to do the same thing for our kids.”
What were you like in high school? “I was dedicated and disciplined to making the right choices so I could play basketball at N.C. State for Kay Yow. I worked hard to become my best self. I had lots of friends and loved attending Cary High School. All sports, 24/7.”
A perfect day: I have so many options that make me happy. Watching film before a big game. Walking off the golf course to a cold beer. Having dinner around our dining room table with my husband and my three boys. Visiting with my teammates and laughing about the good old days. Spending time with my family any place, any time.
This story was originally published March 25, 2022 at 5:55 AM with the headline "Debbie Antonelli’s journey, and voice, took her from the basketball court to Hall of Fame."
