LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Jasmin Estrada, assistant coach at Augustana University, is the 2026 recipient of the NFCA Access & Opportunity Scholarship presented in partnership with the Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes (ELLA) Sports Foundation. Estrada will receive funding to attend the 2026 NFCA National Convention at Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City.
Reviewed and voted on by the NFCA Access & Opportunity Committee, the 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. Estrada will receive a complimentary Convention registration, $700 in travel reimbursement and up to four nights at the Convention’s host hotel.
Estrada joined the Vikings in August as the first hire of the program’s new head coach Colleen Powers. Playing collegiately at St. Cloud State, Estrada is no stranger to NCAA DII, serving as an assistant at Upper Iowa and a graduate assistant at Northern State. She also has head coaching experience leading a summer collegiate team, the Wausau Ignite of the Northwoods League, to its first-ever playoff berth and with the Mash Softball 18U program out of Minnesota.
“Jasmin shows tremendous promise as a young coach, and I believe she has a very bright future in this profession,” said Powers. This scholarship is an investment in a young coach, who is already making a meaningful impact. She embodies the spirit of the Access & Opportunity Scholarship, and I am confident she will use this opportunity not only to grow as a coach, but to continue creating access and opportunity for the next generation of softball players.”
Along with her coaching duties, Estrada has hosted and worked numerous clinics focused on making softball instruction more accessible to athletes, who may not traditionally have access to these opportunities. She is intentional about connecting with athletes of color and creating an environment where they are represented and know they belong in the game. In addition to instructing, Estrada assists families find affordable playing opportunities and has donated equipment when needed.
“Attending Convention will allow me to continue growing as a coach with a specific focus on pitching instruction,” said Powers. “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.
Estrada will be recognized on Thursday, Dec. 10 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.
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