Emory University softball alum Meg Aronowitz has been named the recipient of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association's (NFCA) Melinda Fischer Distinguished Service Award. Aronowitz will be presented the award on Friday, Dec. 7 at the 2018 NFCA National Convention in Chicago.
Aronowitz, who serves as a Coordinating Producer for ESPN, has played a pivotal role in the rise of coverage and viewership of collegiate softball, which includes every pitch of the NCAA Division I postseason and its ultimate showcase, the Women's College World Series. In addition to her work with softball, she oversees ESPN's coverage of collegiate gymnastics as well as the school production project for the SEC Network.
"What Meg Aronowitz has done for the sport of softball is unprecedented and unparalleled," said Executive Director Carol Bruggeman. "She has worked tirelessly and selflessly for years to promote softball and bring much-deserved media exposure to the sport. Through Meg's service and leadership, softball coaches, players, and fans across the country can enjoy 'live' softball games, produced with integrity and passion, on various media platforms throughout the entire season."
The award, which was renamed this year to honor Illinois State head coach Melinda Fischer, recognizes a person who has shown exceptional commitment and dedication to the NFCA and the sport of fastpitch softball. Aronowitz joins inaugural winner and NFCA Hall of Famer Fischer ('02), former NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor Dee Abrahamson ('07) and former Executive Director of the National Junior College Athletic Association Mary Ellen Leicht, as the fourth recipient of this prestigious award.
"I am incredibly honored and humbled to be recognized by the NFCA," said Aronowitz. "Our ESPN team has truly made this honor possible with its tireless dedication to the sport of softball. Combined with the continued support of the NFCA, the NCAA and the individual conferences, we continuously strive to and are able to take our coverage to new heights."
Aronowitz, who joined ESPN in 2001 as an assignment editor for Major League Baseball, will be working her 15th WCWS in 2019. Promoted to senior production coordinator in 2005, Aronowitz played a key role in the management of MLB, the Baseball College World Series and Little League World Series. Coinciding with launch of ESPNU that same year, softball coverage, under the stewardship of Aronowitz, has expanded from every game live at the WCWS to now include hundreds of regular-season games, conference tournaments and every game of NCAA Division I Regionals and Super Regionals.
Promoted to her current position, coordination producer II, in 2015, she has overseen the production of ESPNU college football, volleyball, lacrosse, college baseball, ice hockey, swimming & diving and track & field events, along with her current responsibilities. Most recently, Aronowitz, who played on Emory's first intercollegiate softball team and graduated in 1999, joined the SEC Network team and contributed to a successful launch of the network. She also oversees the SEC Network's school production initiative.
"Like the award's namesake Melinda Fischer, Meg has been a difference-maker," said Bruggeman. "She has helped elevate softball to a new level nationally and is very deserving of our highest service award."
Meg Aronowitz played on Emory's first intercollegiate softball team in 1999.