When legendary softball coach Kathy Veroni was growing up in Rockford, she often played at Churchill Park. When she didn’t have a game or practice, she would still get some softball work in by throwing a ball at a brick wall. She didn’t know then that she was following in the footsteps of another Rockfordian who also made her mark on the diamond: Rockford Peach Ange Armato.

The two women met today before Veroni, the longtime coach of Western Illinois softball, was honored by friends and family in her hometown of Rockford. Armato, who is in the care of Mo Cara Hospice in the Rockford region, quickly recognized Veroni as a kindred spirit. The two women talked about how they played for Rockford Park District teams, and the cuts and bruises they endured playing softball and baseball years before Title IX opened up opportunities for women and girls.

“It was so spectacular to meet Ange,” Veroni said. “She played in Churchill Park and I played in Churchill Park a few years later. My family lives here. Rockford is where I met my first great teammates. My parents taught me how to play ball. My aunts were there. So Rockford is home, although I moved away, I can come back.”

After her days playing softball in Rockford, Veroni went on to earn letters in four sports at Illinois State, then coached softball and field hockey at Western Illinois in Macomb for 34 years. She retired as one of the winningest softball coaches in NCAA history. She continued to serve the sport as the president of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and on the NCAA Rules Committee, and she continued to volunteer in Macomb. The NFCA recently honored Veroni with the 2025 NFCA Humanitarian Award.

For all of these accomplishments, Veroni was feted in Rockford on Monday afternoon in an event sponsored by Mo Cara Hospice, Satori Pathway and Anam Glen Memory Care. Rockford Mayor Tom McNamara, state representative Dave Vella and Winnebago County Board Chairman Joseph Chiarelli all spoke of what Veroni’s accomplishments meant to Rockford.

Veroni’s partner, family, friends and several of the athletes she coached were on hand to cheer her on. Everyone happily shared stories of how Veroni’s life had impacted their own. Veroni was so happy to share with the room how much the encounter with Armato had meant.

“I teared up because she said she was so excited to meet me,” Veroni told the room at the American Lombardi Society. “I was excited to meet her!”