DALLAS – Three new members joined the NFCA Hall of Fame on day three of the 2024 NFCA Convention at Hyatt Regency Dallas. Additionally, there was a full lineup of speakers, featured grassroots business meetings and education, giveaways in the Exhibit Hall, and conversations about relevant issues surrounding the sport of softball.
In the signature event, Connie Clark (Texas – ret.), Gretta Melsted (Augustana) and Tim Walton (Florida) were enshrined into the NFCA Hall of Fame. The Association also announced its class of 2025 – ADD 2025 CLASS.
At the Softball Summit presented by USA Softball, dignitaries including USA Softball’s Craig Cress, and USA Baseball’s Jenny Dalton-Hill provided overviews for those in attendance. Additionally, each group representative on the Association’s Board of Directors provided insights into what they are working on for the betterment of game both on and off the field. The Summit wrapped up with discussion on the topics of NCAA settlement proposal, Division I roster limits, pitching rules (leap/replant) and rules synchronization.
View the complete schedule HERE or download the Convention App to see a complete list of activities.
The Exhibit Show closed on Friday, which included a giveaway by NFCA Official Sponsors Netting Professionals and Sports Attack. SUNY Cortland assistant coach Megan LaMont won a Netting Pros ball cart and 4x6 pro flip screen, while Dwain Nance, head coach at Marengo High School (Ill.) went home with a Junior Hack Attack pitching machine.
The day also featured numerous speakers, along with our Grassroots Summit presented by ATEC, which included a coaches’ panel Q&A session and presentations from New Mexico State’s Benet Higgs and Drake’s Lindsay Diehl.
Six speaker sessions filled the morning before the Summit, with topics ranging from program building, playing rules and practice plans to diversifying pitching staffs, year-round hitting programs and outfield play. It also featured two Assistant Coach Track sessions – Q&A Panel and Travis Wyckoff touching on coaching development
Following the Summit, the head coaches had their turn with a Q&A panel, to go along with more pitching and catching education.
Also on the docket was a panel of head coaches titled, “Making Adjustments,” presented by NFCA Official Sponsor Morgan Stanley, along with the Resume Building programming and more Director of Operations programming.
The final day provides a second helping of Drills, Drills, Drills, the Awards Brunch, and seven educational sessions after the brunch.
The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded National Convention, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards to the National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC) to other in-person events such as Coaches Clinics and Leadoff Classics.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!
