The Horizon League Teams with Debbie Antonelli’s 24 Hours Nothing But Net in Support of Special Olympics!

Debbie Antonelli, a college basketball analyst and passionate advocate for the Special Olympics, founded 24 Hours Nothing But Net, a 24-hour free-throw shooting marathon where she shoots 100 free throws every hour for 24 consecutive hours, 2,400 total shots. She has raised over $1.4 million dollars for Special Olympics. Antonelli’s motivation for launching the event is deeply personal. Her son, Frankie, is a Special Olympics athlete.

Major impact is a key pillar in the Horizon League and in that spirit, the League has announced a new partnership with 24 Hours Nothing But Net, Debbie Antonelli’s nonprofit which support Special Olympics. Antonelli is a Naismith Hall of Fame broadcaster and staunch advocate for Special Olympics.

From January 11–17, the Horizon League’s 24 Hours Nothing But Net Week will unite all 11 member institutions. Guided by each campus’ Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and supported by Special Olympics chapters across the League’s six-state region, this initiative highlights our shared commitment to inclusion and the belief that sports truly are for everyone. The Horizon League has long championed individuals with intellectual disabilities through events like the Barbasol Horizon League Basketball Championships and the Horizon League Celebration.

This partnership deepens that commitment, offering more opportunities for student-athletes and Special Olympics athletes to connect, compete, and uplift one another. By donating today, you are helping expand Special Olympics sports, health, leadership, and community programs, breaking down stigma, building inclusion, and empowering athletes to reach their full potential.