University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics Announces Kristi Coleman as Our Turn To Play Keynote Speaker
01.21.2025 | General, Athletics News
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – For the 20th year of the "Our Turn to Play" Scholarship Dinner, Kristi Coleman, CEO of Tepper Sports Entertainment and President of the Carolina Panthers, will be this year's Keynote Speaker. The annual scholarship dinner will be held on Tuesday, April 29, at 6 p.m. in Kimmel Arena.
"We are excited to welcome Kristi to Asheville for one of our biggest events of the year," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "As our community began rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, Tepper Sports, and the Carolina Panthers have been extremely supportive of Western North Carolina. Having Kristi speak to our female student-athletes and Bulldog friends is yet another way to show their commitment."
A LITTLE ABOUT COLEMAN
On December 3, 2024, Kristi Coleman was named the Chief Executive Officer of Tepper Sports Entertainment (TSE). In her role, Coleman oversees all business operations for TSE, including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Football Club, and Bank of America Stadium. She also serves as President of the Carolina Panthers. A true trailblazer across professional sports, Coleman was named the President of the Carolina Panthers in February 2022, becoming only the second-ever female president in NFL history.
For a complete look at Coleman's biography, click HERE.
ANTONELLI BACK FOR ANOTHER YEAR
Debbie Antonelli will also return for another year as emcee. Antonelli is a familiar name for UNC Asheville Athletics, having served as emcee for Asheville's Celebration on the Court basketball kickoff event and receiving the OTTP Trailblazer Award in 2022.
EVENT REVIEW
Last season's "Our Turn to Play" event was a momentous occasion, with a record-breaking 425 individuals gathered at Kimmel Arena in the Sherrill Center to champion Bulldog women's athletics. This unprecedented show of support, both from those present and those who could not attend but still contributed led to a staggering fundraising total of over $330,000.
"Our Turn to Play" is an annual event with a mission to highlight the accomplishments of women in collegiate sports and increase the scholarship fund for UNC Asheville female student-athletes.
Individual tickets are $150, and table sponsorships are $1500. To reserve your seat(s), please contact Donna Peek at dpeek@unca.edu or 828-232-5655.