LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Ciera Jones, head coach at Clark College, has been awarded as the 2025 recipient of the NFCA Access & Opportunity Scholarship presented in partnership with the Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes (ELLA) Sports Foundation. Jones will receive funding to attend the 2025 NFCA National Convention at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas.
Reviewed and voted on by the NFCA Awards Committee, the Diversity Scholarship is awarded to a minority member coach who shows a commitment to working with minorities, growing the game of fastpitch in their community and has a need for financial assistance to attend the Convention.
Jones will receive a complimentary Convention registration, $700 in travel reimbursement and up to four nights at the Convention’s host hotel.
Jones has been leading the Penguin softball program since 2023, implementing inclusive recruitment strategies, prioritizing diverse athletes from underrepresented communities. Additionally, she continues to develop partnerships with local organizations to provide mentorship and resources to student-athletes, while also collaborating with nonprofit organizations and local schools to create opportunities for marginalized youth to participate in collegiate camps and clinics.
“As we remain committed to leveling the playing field for all minorities, we believe, Ciera, the recipient of this scholarship has likewise demonstrated exceptional dedication and exemplifies the values we stand for,” said Manny Travieso, ELLA Athletic Director.
Away from Clark, Jones is the softball program coordinator at Friends of Baseball, a non-profit in Portland, Ore. committed to creating access to diamond sports for underprivileged youth. At Friends of Baseball, she has led Girls LEAD (learning and empowering through athletic development) in which 77 percent of campers identified as youth of color and 75 percent were new to softball.
For her efforts, Jones was recognized as a national coach of the year by the Positive Coaching Alliance in 2024, and this year she was asked to coach the first-ever softball team to represent Portland in the MLB Nike/RBI West Regional Tournament. In addition to her outreach with nonprofit, Jones serves on the board and coaches for the Rose City Rebels, a newly founded organization that offers girls priced out of traditional travel ball a chance to compete in multiple summer tournaments.
“Attending Convention will allow me to continue growing as a coach with a specific focus on pitching instruction,” said Jones. “Engaging with leading minds in the sport will not only sharpen my technical knowledge, but also provide me with fresh, evidence-based approaches to training pitchers. It will support my ongoing commitment to professional development and ensure I can continue to mentor athletes with the most up-to-date and effective coaching strategies.
Jones will be recognized on Thursday, Dec. 11 during the Convention’s annual mentoring workshop presented by SixFour3.
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its extensive awards and scholarships program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from NFCA podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of 7,000 coaches today!
