Olympic Champion Jennie Finch Speaks at Binghamton University

Olympic gold medal winner Jennie Finch was the keynote speaker yesterday at the Ninth Annual Celebrating Women's Athletics Luncheon at the Events Center at Binghamton University.  Finch won the gold medal as a standout pitcher for the USA in the 2004 Athens Olympics and the silver medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Finch was a three-time All-American at the University of Arizona and pitched professionally as well.  She threw two perfect games for the Chicago Bandits, one in 2009 and another in 2010.  She was inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame and was named the National Pro Fastpitch Co-Pitcher of the Year in 2005.

It was not the first time Finch had been in the Binghamton area.  She held several softball camps at the BAGSAI complex across from SUNY Broome.

Finch spoke with Binghamton University's softball team prior to the luncheon. She travels the country speaking at Universities and softball camps and works with ESPN during their softball coverage.  Finch has written a book entitled "Throw Like a Girl:  How to Dream Big and Believe in Yourself".

Over 500 people attended the luncheon.  Money raised goes for athletic scholarships for female Binghamton University student- athletes.  Over $150,000 has been raised from proceeds from the previous luncheons.