Kids First In Sports,
Health, and Education National Spokeswoman
“Kids
FIRST In Sports, Health, and
Education is dedicated
to changing youth programs by giving coaches and parents the
knowledge they need to keep kids involved in sports for a
lifetime. I am proud to be a part of the Kids FIRST
goal of making kids the top priority in youth sports, health,
and education.”
As a pitcher for the University
of Arizona Wildcats, Jennie set an NCAA record for consecutive
wins with 60. She received the Honda Sports Award, annually
presented to the nation's top player, in both 2001 and 2002.
In 2001, she led her team to the NCAA Women's College World
Series title and was selected Most Outstanding Player of the
tournament. Her record during the 2001 season was an amazing
32-0. Jennie is a strong candidate for the 2004 Women’s
Olympic Softball Team.
“Signing Jennie Finch is the beginning
of something very special for Mizuno," said Jeff Fiorini,
Vice President and General Manager of Diamond Sports, Mizuno
USA, Inc.
"Jennie is one of the elite athletes
in the history of women's fastpitch softball and will serve
as an outstanding symbol for the quality and performance that
Mizuno will bring to the game."
At the national level, Finch led the Phoenix
Storm to the ASA Women's National Championship in 2000 and
2001, and she won numerous awards and championships at the
18 & under level.
She is currently a member of the USA Women's Softball Team
and recently was a member of the victorious Team USA at the
World Championships in August.
"Jennie's popularity as a player
and a role model extends to players of all ages in the U.S.
and beyond," added Fiorini. "Her impressive work
ethic and commitment to excellence makes us proud to be associated
with her, and we feel honored that she has selected Mizuno
as her brand of choice."
Tom Danehy of the Tucson Weekly (4/11/02) had this to say:
“At the University of Arizona, a
school where men's basketball is a religion and football often
an opiate, the most recognizable, most popular and far and
away most dominant athlete on campus is a young woman with
a soft voice, easy smile and a fastball that could trigger
a sales spike in Depends. “
He
continued, “It surprised absolutely no one, then, when
she was named to the National team after tryouts in January.
(The trials were originally scheduled for last fall, but got
pushed back by 9/11.) She will play on the national team this
summer after the UA season is over and then return to school
in the fall to complete her degree and help with the Wildcat
coaching staff next spring. In the summer of 2003, she and
her U.S. teammates will begin a year-long process of molding
a unit capable of successfully defending the Gold Medal and,
one hopes, humiliating the much-hated Australians in the process.
The Olympics are scheduled to be held
in Athens and the potential image of Finch pitching with the
Acropolis in the backdrop is a striking one. The Greeks might
take one look at the prototypical athlete of the future and
feel the need to rewrite their mythology.”
He
continued, “It surprised absolutely no one, then, when
she was named to the National team after tryouts in January.
(The trials were originally scheduled for last fall, but got
pushed back by 9/11.) She will play on the national team this
summer after the UA season is over and then return to school
in the fall to complete her degree and help with the Wildcat
coaching staff next spring. In the summer of 2003, she and
her U.S. teammates will begin a year-long process of molding
a unit capable of successfully defending the Gold Medal and,
one hopes, humiliating the much-hated Australians in the process.
