The 2006 NFCA Convention kicked off Wednesday with over 840 registered to attend the three-day event at the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort and Spa in Tucson, Ariz. Over 120 opened the day on the links with the Wilson Golf Scramble. The team of Larry Brushett, Jill Matyuch, Casey Daigle and Don Slaught fired the lowest score on the Arnold Palmer-designed course to claim the top prize. Daigle and Carol Bruggeman delivered the longest drives, while Jake Schumann and Stacey Phillips claimed closest to the pin honors.
Following an afternoon of committee meetings, the NFCA honored winners of the Turface Field Maintenance Awards, adidas Golden Shoe Awards, Diamond Sports Catchers of the Year, NFCA Top Ten Academic Teams and Speedline Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year.
The opening business meeting concluded with a moving keynote address from award-winning sports journalist, television commentator and author Christine Brennan, who praised the sport and all of the advances it has made before taking questions from those in attendance.
The 2006 convention runs through Sat., Dec. 9.
