Olympic champion Jennie Finch to speak at Semoball Awards

Jennie Finch spent her softball career breaking the spirits of athletes who attempted to hit her 70 mph fastball.

This summer she'll spend a Saturday night in Southeast Missouri inspiring young athletes as the keynote speaker for the Semoball Awards.

Finch was announced as the speaker for the second annual event on Wednesday morning at HealthPoint Fitness in Cape Girardeau.

"I'm just so excited about Jennie," said Rex Rust, the co-president of Rust Communications, which owns semoball.com. "That is a perfect example of the scholar-athlete who excelled in everything she did both on and off the field, and there's the whole patriotism side to it with the US Olympics and just the memories of rooting them on, it'll be exciting to see her be apart of the event. I'm looking forward to the message, too. I can't think of a better perspective for high school kids and scholar-athletes."

The Semoball Awards, which will be held July 11 at the Southeast Missouri State River Campus, will honor more than 200 athletes from 57 high schools in the region. A player of the year from each sport will be revealed as well as the coach of the year, female and male athlete of the year, female and male scholar-athlete of the year, sportsmanship award winner, comeback player of the year and lifetime achievement award winner.

"First of all, it's just a celebration of excellence," Rust said. "It's also embracing the communities in which these scholar-athletes are in and the schools that support this, and the parents and the hard work. It's also exciting because of the actual event, the type of event that it is -- the high energy. It's a treat to watch those involved, and those in particular being honored, surrounded by that energy. It's awesome."

SoutheastHEALTH is the presenting sponsor for the Semoball Awards while First Midwest Bank (Official Bank Sponsor), Harry Blackwell Family of Dealerships, Athlon Sports and SEMO ESPN Radio are title sponsors.

SoutheastHEALTH president and CEO Kenneth Bateman, who said he is familiar with the pride the parents and athletes feel at the Semoball Awards because he is the father of a collegiate baseball player, highlighted the importance of the event and high school athletes to organization.

"It's important to us because as a regional healthcare provider we touch the lives of everyone in the community, regardless of age," Bateman said. "The athletes are important to us for a couple reasons. One, because they're part of the community that we serve, but also it helps to promote a healthy, wellness-type lifestyle. Athletes are focused on their sport, focused on nutrition, focused on exercise. It epitomizes what a healthcare provider should be all about."

Jennie Finch will be the keynote speaker at the Semoball Awards on July 11 at the Southeast Missouri State River Campus. (Provided photo)

Athletes who were revealed as fall sport finalists soon will receiver their invitations in the mail. The winter selection show is scheduled for April 11 at Harry Blackwell Dodge in Dexter, while spring sports finalists will be named June 13 at First Midwest Bank in Dexter.

Finch, a three-time All-American pitcher at Arizona, also won a gold medal with Team USA at the 2004 Olympics and a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics.

She retired from playing in 2010 but remains one of the most recognizable female athletes in the country. She serves as a softball analyst for ESPN and is the author of the book "Throw Like a Girl: How to Dream Big and Believe in Yourself."

"We are thrilled to have Jennie Finch as the keynote speaker," event manager Lucas Presson said. "We're looking forward to her message, which we believe will inspire the athletes and all those who attend to persevere and be the best they can be in sports and life."

VIP tickets, which will include a meet and greet and photo opportunity with Finch, are on sale at semoball.com/awards. General admission tickets will go on sale at a later date.

"The Semoball Awards is first-class experience that's going to leave everyone proud of the area's tremendous athletes and coaches," Presson said of the Semoball Awards. "It is the red carpet, the photos, the ice sculpture, the heavy hor d'oeuvres and then the amazing show with incredible lights, video and sound. Combined with awards and the keynote speech, this will be a fun night. It's an award show like none other in this area."

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