The Association for Women in Sports Media is thrilled to announce the Rosa Gatti Scholarship, the ninth scholarship to benefit the AWSM Scholars program.

The newest scholarship celebrates the legacy of Rosa Gatti, a pioneer at ESPN, in the cable industry and as a woman in sports and communications. She was the first female Sports Information Director (SID) at a major university (Villanova), and she helped build the ESPN brand from its first year. Gatti retired from ESPN in 2013, after 33 years.

Among her many honors is the 2011 Mary Garber Pioneer Award.

Gatti, currently a consultant and nonprofit board member,  is the sponsor of this award. The first winner will be selected in 2027, earning a $1,250 scholarship and potential  placement in a sports-related, paid summer internship.

“I have long been a champion for AWSM and its mission to uplift women in sports media,” Gatti said. “My goal for this scholarship is twofold: to help launch the career of a female leader in sports media, and to inspire our industry veterans to create a scholarship or donate to AWSM.”

A 1972 graduate of Villanova University, she began working for her alma mater in sports information and advanced quickly. In 1976, Gatti moved to Brown University, becoming  the first Ivy League female SID and taking on significant leadership roles in collegiate athletics.

Gatti joined ESPN in July 1980, its first year of operation. She became the network’s first female vice president, and in 1988 was promoted to senior vice president, communications. Gatti led efforts to accelerate workplace diversity at ESPN, and also grew the company’s philanthropy initiatives and corporate outreach.

AWSM is grateful for Gatti and eight more sponsors who make the Scholars program possible. Since 1990, AWSM has placed more than 200 female college students interested in sports media careers in paid summer internships (sports writing, broadcast production, social media and media relations/sports PR).

AWSM is accepting applications for the 2027 AWSM Scholars program using this form. Applications are due Nov. 8, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. PST for priority consideration. Final deadline is Dec. 13, 2026.

AWSM invites anyone interested in becoming a scholarship donor to contact us at AWSMBoard@gmail.com

‍