Rhonda Glenn: First Fulltime Female Sportscaster On National Television Dies At 68

Rhonda Glenn - One of the most renowned females in the world of golf has died at the age of 68. Rhonda Glenn, who had been battling cancer, is reported to have passed away on Thursday Feb. 12 in Gainesville, Florida.

The death of Rhonda Glenn comes as sad news for golf fans in the country. The veteran sportscaster served as the communications director of the United States Golf Association (USGA) for 17 years between 1996 and 2013.

Prior to taking up that job, Glenn made history when she was hired to host ESPN's SportsCenter in 1981. At the time, she was the first female fulltime sportscaster on national television. However, before chalking this achievement, Glenn started her illustrious TV career in the early seventies as a talk show host, news anchor and weather forecaster for NBC affiliate station WAVY-TV in Portsmouth, Virginia. She was later hired a as golf analyst on ABC in 1978. She worked with the station for 16 years before she left in 1994.

Perhaps, Glenn's most lasting work is her books on golf. Glenn, who played golf at an amateur level, penned several award winning books on golf, including The Illustrated History of Women's Golf and The Journey of the Only Woman President of the United States Golf Association.

The executive director of USGA Mike Davis has reminisced about Glenn. "In addition to her many accomplishments, what we will miss most about Rhonda is her generosity of spirit, her passion for the game and the people who play it, as well as her kindness and humility," he said."In many respects, she truly represented all that was best about our game."

Meanwhile, ESPN Programming and Production Vice President John Wildhack has expressed condolences to Glenn's family."All of us at ESPN are deeply saddened by the news of Rhonda Glenn's passing," he said."As ESPN's first female anchor, she is an important part of our history and someone who was a pioneer in our business."

Since Rhonda Glenn's death was announced earlier in the week, many fans have continued to send messages of condolence and reminisce about her work on social media.