National basketball analyst Debbie Antonelli will serve as the keynote speaker for the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s 2025 Women in Business Signature Event. The event, titled “Champions On and Off the Court,” is scheduled for Tuesday, October 21 at The Bell Auditorium, with doors opening at 6:00 p.m.
Antonelli has spent nearly four decades as a broadcaster on national platforms such as ESPN and CBS. She has called college basketball games for 38 years and has covered the NCAA Men’s Tournament on CBS for nine seasons. Her achievements include induction into several halls of fame: the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame in 2021, and she was recognized by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the Curt Gowdy Media Award recipient in 2024. Antonelli is also a two-time Emmy Award winner who covers WNBA games for ESPN and NBATV and serves as lead play-by-play voice for the Indiana Fever.
Her playing career includes being a three-year starter and two-time captain at NC State, where she helped her team reach four NCAA Tournaments, including two Sweet 16s. In January 2025, NC State honored her with a Ring of Honor banner at Reynolds Coliseum. The City of Mount Pleasant named a gymnasium after her in May 2025.
Antonelli is active in philanthropy through initiatives like “24 Hours Nothing But Net,” which has raised over $1.4 million for Special Olympics over seven years while maintaining a high free-throw percentage during these events. She also serves on boards such as the Kay Yow Cancer Fund and Special Olympics South Carolina.
Tickets to attend are priced at $75 for chamber members and $100 for prospective members; corporate tables are available at discounted rates. Advanced registration is required via https://www.augustametrochamber.com/events/women-in-business-2025-signature-event. For more details or sponsorship information, contact Emma Jones, Events & Marketing Manager at emma.jones@augustametrochamber.com or call 706.821.1318.
The annual Women In Business Signature Event aims to support professional women within Augusta’s business community by bringing them together to share experiences and inspiration from prominent speakers each year.
The Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce describes itself as the largest business membership organization in the CSRA region, focused on economic growth and supporting both businesses and educational efforts throughout Augusta.
“Each year, a nationally renowned speaker who exemplifies ‘High Heels in High Places’ is invited to share their story and inspire the audience.”
For media inquiries regarding this event, contact Brooke Willis, Communications Coordinator at brooke.willis@augustametrochamber.com or call 762-333-3199.
