CSU launches Presidential Executive in Residence program, naming MLB announcer and alumna Jenny Cavnar as first appointee
Contact:
Tiana Kennedy, AVP Communications, CSU and CSU System
Tiana.Kennedy@colostate.edu
Cell: 970-420-3316
A new Presidential Executive in Residence program at Colorado State University will engage top professionals in advisory roles for the university and provide direct connections for students, faculty and the community at-large.
The effort, announced by CSU President Amy Parsons on Feb. 22, named award-winning Major League Baseball Broadcaster Jenny Cavnar as the first Presidential Executive in Residence for CSU. Her role is effective immediately.
“The Presidential Executive in Residence program brings in experts who have reached the pinnacle of their fields,” said CSU President Amy Parsons. “The program is designed to inspire our students and infuse excellence across the university. As an influential figure who is deeply invested in sharing her expertise, there is no one better than Jenny Cavnar to launch this initiative. I can’t wait to see the ways this incredible CSU alumna will mentor our students and collaborate with the university community to elevate our work at Colorado State.”
Cavnar is entering her 18th season in MLB broadcasting and has been a trailblazer for women in the industry. Just last week, Cavnar marked a milestone of being named the first female primary play-by-play voice in Major League Baseball history when the Oakland Athletics announced her as its play-by-play announcer. She previously served 12 years as backup play-by-play announcer, pregame and postgame host and reporter for regional TV coverage for the Colorado Rockies.
Cavnar is a five-time Emmy Award winner and was the first woman to win National Sports Media Association (NSMA) Colorado Sportscaster of the Year in 2021. She also made baseball history in 2018 as the first woman in 25 years to call play-by-play for a Major League Baseball game.
“I am thrilled to be named the first Presidential Executive in Residence at Colorado State University. Twenty years after graduating, I return to campus with groundbreaking experiences that I hope will inspire and guide the next generation of Rams,” said Cavnar, who graduated from CSU in 2004. “I look forward to igniting passions and helping shape tomorrow’s leaders. This is not just a position; it’s an extension of my enthusiasm for Colorado State and the experiences it provided me.”
Cavnar was the first female to provide analysis for a series of National League games in the radio booth. In addition to being the backup play-by-play broadcaster, she hosted the Rockies Pregame and Postgame Shows and served as a sideline reporter.
Cavnar often can be heard as a voice on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM throughout the regular season and postseason coverage. In addition to her work in baseball, Cavnar calls men’s and women’s college basketball on FS1 and PAC 12 Networks.
Beth Walker, dean of the CSU College of Business, says she’s honored that Cavnar, an alumna of the college, was selected as the inaugural Presidential Executive in Residence.
“Even as an undergraduate at CSU, Jenny stood out as an extraordinary student who already had her sights set on a career in sports broadcasting,” Walker said. “We are so proud of her remarkable achievements as an MLB broadcaster, breaking barriers and inspiring so many young women to push boundaries in their own professions. By engaging with our students and sharing her professional journey, Jenny will influence and inspire the next generation of CSU students to work hard to achieve their dreams.”
The Presidential Executive in Residence program advances excellence at CSU by bringing in renowned experts who have achieved extraordinary things in a variety of fields. Appointees to the program serve for designated time periods and receive donor-funded stipends for their work with the university.