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Jennie Finch to Lead Fiesta Bowl Parade
December 15 , 2004 by EditorOlympic Gold Medalist Jennie Finch will serve as the Grand Marshal of the 34th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade, Fiesta Bowl Chairman Armando Flores announced today.“Jennie has become a role model and national icon,” Flores said. “In fitting with the parade theme, her journey has been magical thus far and we are honored to recognize and celebrate her impressive accomplishments.”
A leader on the field and one of the most popular and recognized athletes in women’s sports, Finch and the USA Softball team clinched Olympic gold in Athens after shattering several records, including a 51-1 margin in outscoring their opponents. Finch was the winning pitcher in the opening game of the Olympics versus Italy and also threw a shutout against Canada to win, 7-0.
Since returning to the states from Athens, Finch has signed endorsement deals with Sprint, Bank of America, Sealy, 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide, Bolle and Mizuno, which created a line of bats, gloves and shoes with her name on them. In addition, she has committed to play for National Pro Fastpitch, formerly known as the Women's Pro Softball League, which was founded in 1997.
While she continues her mark on the field, marketability is what’s making headline news these days. A poll by Sports Business Daily ranked her second to Michael Phelps in terms of marketability among all of the 2004 Olympic athletes. Recently, a pair of her game-used, autographed shoes sold on eBay for $1,600, and in 2003, she beat out Anna Kournikova as ESPN’s Hottest Female Athlete of the Year.
Finch was also named one of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People and has graced the cover of Modern Bride, in addition to feature stories in Glamour and Vanity Fair. Additionally, she has appeared on late-night TV with David Letterman and Jimmy Kimmel.
In October 2002, "This Week in Baseball" signed her as the show’s first female correspondent. Her segment, “Pitch, Hit, and Run with Jennie Finch,” debuted in 2003 and matched her each week with a major leaguer to talk about baseball fundamentals.
The 34th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 31, at 11 a.m. in downtown Phoenix. This year’s theme, ‘A Magical Journey’ will bring out the child in all those participating and attending.
