Louisville took care of business on Wednesday, cruising to an 89-61 blowout victory over Indiana. The sizable win also helped create a special moment for ESPN broadcaster Debbie Antonelli and her son, Patrick.
The Cardinals led 86-52 with 1:55 left in the game, which meant Louisville head coach Pat Kelsey could empty his bench. Doing so allowed graduate transfer Patrick Antonelli a chance to enter the game. While bench players entering a blowout don’t usually get too much notice, Beth Mowins, who was calling the ESPN broadcast alongside mom Debbie, certainly noticed.
“Patrick Antonelli, at the scorer’s table, set to check in, and looking across the way, extremely anxiously and fidgety, is his Hall of Fame mom, Debbie,” Mowins said. “And here comes Patrick.”
“At the scorer’s table, set to check in, and looking across the way, extremely anxiously and fidgety, is his Hall of Fame mom Debbie. And here comes Patrick.” – Debbie Antonelli calling her son as he checks in for Louisville pic.twitter.com/xpdbL8arhM
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) November 27, 2024
In his almost two minutes of action, Patrick scored three points on free throws and garnered a steal while his proud mom looked on from the announcer’s table.
Antonelli transferred to Louisville this season after spending four years with Division II’s Emory & Henry. While there, he started 56 of 63 games, averaging 6.5 points, 4.7 assists, and 4.4 rebounds.
Wearing No. 12 for the Cardinals, that’s the same number that his mom wore at NC State where she led the Wolfpack to four NCAA Tournament appearances and two Sweet Sixteens. A longtime women’s basketball broadcaster, Antonelli also works as an analyst for the Indiana Fever.
Family ❤️@debbieantonelli is on the call today for the @LouisvilleMBB game this afternoon.
Tune in on ESPN at Noon! #GoCards pic.twitter.com/Yosjv6J4WD
— Louisville Athletics (@GoCards) November 27, 2024
As far as we are aware, this marked the first time that a female announcer called her son in a men’s college basketball game.
About Sean Keeley
Along with writing for Awful Announcing and The Comeback, Sean is the Managing Editor for Comeback Media. Previously, he created the Syracuse blog Troy Nunes Is An Absolute Magician and wrote 'How To Grow An Orange: The Right Way to Brainwash Your Child Into Rooting for Syracuse.' He has also written non-Syracuse-related things for SB Nation, Curbed, and other outlets. He currently lives in Seattle where he is complaining about bagels. Send tips/comments/complaints to sean@thecomeback.com.