NFCA National Convention
December 8-11, 2010
San Diego Marriott and Marina in downtown San Diego, California

The convention web site will be available in late August. Meanwhile, here are a few items of interest.

Can I Make My Hotel Reservations Now?

Yes, the NFCA has blocked rooms at the San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina at a $139 rate. To make your reservations, click here. Reservations may also be made by calling 800/266-9432 or 619/234-1500 and ask for rooms in the NFCA block before November 1. All reservations must be guaranteed with a major credit card.

San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina web site

Schedule

Last year, several changes were made to the convention schedule, and those will still be in place for 2010: (1) the golf and tennis tournaments will be held Tuesday, December 7; (2) the four-hour pre-convention seminar will be held Wednesday morning, December 8, and (3) almost all committee meetings have been scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, December 8.

The exhibitor show is Thursday and Friday, and the clinic spans Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Caucus meetings are all on Thursday, along with the Softball Summit.

The NFCA Hall of Fame Banquet will be held Friday night, December 10, while Easton will present its Victory Club awards at a luncheon Thursday, December 9. Coaching Staff of the Year awards will be presented Saturday morning, December 11.

It also will be the ninth year that National Fastptich Coaches College sessions will be held in conjunction with the convention, and more courses will be offered this year than ever before. Four courses are scheduled —two before the convention and two afterwards.

December 5-7: Course 403 – Position Play and Individual Defensive Skills, with instructors Bill Edwards, head coach at Hofstra; Stacey Nuveman, assistant coach at San Diego State and USA Olympic Gold Medalist, and Margie Wright, head coach at Fresno State.

December 5-7: Course 404 – Solid Team Defense & Strategy, with instructors Heather Tarr, head coach at Washington; Gayle Blevins, former head coach at Iowa, and Eugene Lenti, head coach at DePaul.

December 11-13: Course 405 — Explosive Team Offense & Strategy, with instructors Sharon Drysdale, former college head coach (Northwestern) and professional coach; Mike Candrea, head coach at Arizona, and Tim Walton, head coach at Florida.

December 11-13; Course 406 — Coaching Dynamic Team Practices, with instructors Carol Bruggeman, associate head coach at Louisville; Deb Pallozzi, head coach at Ithaca, and Carol Hutchins, head coach at Michigan.

There are on-field components to all courses, so local institutions will be used for the classes. San Diego State will host courses 403 (pre) and 405 (post), while the University of California, San Diego, will host courses 404 (pre) and 405 (post). Transportation will be provided to and from the hotel to the sites.

When Should I Arrive?

Going to one of the National Fastpitch Coaches College classes December 5-7? Arrive Saturday, December 4.

Playing in the golf or tennis tournament? Arrive Monday, December 6.

Attending the NFCA Pre-Convention Seminar? Arrive Tuesday, December 7.

On an NFCA committee? Arrive Tuesday, December 7.

Attending convention only? Arrive during the day of Wednesday, December 8.

The convention will end late Saturday afternoon, so you can schedule return travel on Sunday, December 12, unless you plan to stay for one of the post-convention courses starting Saturday evening December 11 through Monday afternoon December 13.

How Do I Register?

Look for your actual registration materials in August. In addition, look for updates on the NFCA web site and in Fastpitch Delivery. You will be able to register on-line with a credit card or purchase order number starting in mid to late August.

Interested in Exhibiting?

Exhibitor materials will be emailed in August. If you haven't previously exhibited, email Michelle LaBella, NFCA Director of Marketing, with your contact information. Set-up for the show is Wednesday, December 8, with the show scheduled for Thursday and Friday, December 9 and 10.