LAS VEGAS – Four new members joined the NFCA Hall of Fame on day three of the 2025 NFCA Convention at Caesars Forum. Prior to the evening’s celebration, there was a full lineup of speakers, grassroots’ business meetings, giveaways in the Exhibit Show and conversations about relevant issues surrounding the sport of softball during the Softball Summit presented by USA Softball.
In the signature event, Lu Harris-Champer (Georgia, ret.), Judy Lawes (Kutztown), Mike Reed (UT Tyler) and Suzy Willemssen (VA Glory) were enshrined into the NFCA Hall of Fame. The Association also announced its class of 2026 – Ken Ericksen (USF/USA Softball) and Denny Griffin (Alma College), along with trailblazers Kirk Walker (UCLA/Oregon State) and Veronica Wiggins (Florida A&M).
At the Softball Summit presented by USA Softball, dignitaries- USA Softball’s Chris Sebren, and USA Baseball’s Jenny Dalton-Hill provided overviews for those in attendance. Additionally, each respective 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.
View the complete schedule HERE or download the Convention App to see a complete list of activities.
The record-breaking Exhibit Show closed on Friday, highlighted by the return of the Home Run Derby presented by HitTrax, along with raffles by fellow NFCA Official Sponsors Netting Professionals and Sports Attack. Payton Curtis from EC Bullets Plemmons was the lucky Netting Professionals winner taking home the batting cage and a Purple Lowboy Ball Cart, while Andrew Meza of Bases Academy collected a Junior Hack Attack and new Fungo Kart.
Twelve sessions filled the morning before the Summit, highlighted by a pair of panels featuring the University of Nebraska coaching staff (Rhonda Revelle, Lori Sippel, Diane Miller), the longest tenured staff in NCAA Division I and the University of Oklahoma Coaching Tree with Sooner head coach Patty Gasso, Oregon head coach Melyssa Lombardi and Northwestern assistant coach Michelle Gascoigne.
Eight more sessions followed the Summit, touching on mental health , strength & conditioning, championship mindset and more. It also included the first-ever New Coach Track, a trio of educational sessions cultivated specifically for new coaches and some of the unique issues they encounter.
The final day provides a second helping of Drills, Drills, Drills, the Awards Brunch, and nine 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!
