LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NFCA proudly announces its Diversity Scholarship has been rebranded to the NFCA Diversity Scholarship, presented by the ELLA Sports Foundation.
The scholarship, which was created by the NFCA’s Diversity Committee, has been awarded annually since 2016 to a minority member coach who shows a commitment to working with minorities and growing the game of fastpitch in their communities and has a need for financial assistance to attend the Convention. Starting with this year’s recipient, the Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes (ELLA) Sports Foundation will assist the NFCA Awards Committee in selecting the winner.
"The ELLA Sports Foundation is passionate about diversity in sport,” NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman said. “They work tirelessly to expand opportunities. I cannot think of a better title sponsor for our Diversity Scholarship than the ELLA Sports Foundation.”
“Past Diversity Scholarship winners have said the experience of attending a Convention was 'life-changing.' The ELLA Sports Foundation changes lives every day through their various initiatives, including growing the Triple Crown Colorado Sparkler International Games, which is now a must-see event."
The recipient receives a complimentary NFCA Convention registration, travel reimbursement up to $700, and up to four nights paid at the Convention host hotel. Individuals may nominate another coach for the scholarship, or apply for it themselves. The deadline for applications is Sept. 1.
“We are delighted to partner with NFCA to offer young women expanded opportunities to build a bright future for themselves via sports and academic excellence,” says Patty Godoy, Co-Founder and CEO, ELLA Sports Foundation. “We are grateful to NFCA for this opportunity to collaborate and look forward to helping many more young female athletes.”
PAST WINNERS | NOMINATE HERE | NFCA SCHOLARSHIPS
The NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of over 7,000 coaches today!
ABOUT THE ELLA SPORTS FOUNDATION
ELLA (EYA) Sports Foundation is a 501 (c )(3) non-profit whose mission is to level the playing field for Latina and girl athletes. “ELLA,” which is Spanish for “Her” and stands for Empowering Leadership in Latina Athletes, is the brainchild of teenager Lilly Travieso, who began playing sports at a young age. Over the years, Lilly became passionate about playing softball and dreamed of playing the sport at a top university. Lilly embarked on a strenuous mental, physical, and academic journey to achieve her dream. However, along the way, she discovered many obstacles and disparities faced by female athletes and female athletes of color, culturally and economically. With the help of her parents, Lilly applied to and was accepted to Cornell University on a sports award where she played D1 softball for four years. Lilly graduated from Cornell in 2024 with All-Ivy Honors, and has since been recruited by George Washington University where she will work towards a master’s degree and continue playing D1 Softball.
Lilly wanted to make a difference and share with other girl athletes and their parents everything her family learned about navigating girl sports and college recruitment. With the help of her mother Patty Godoy-Travieso, ELLA Sports Foundation was founded with a mission to empower young women to become leaders of tomorrow through sports and academic excellence. ELLA wants to provide female student athletes and their families opportunities and resources to support them so they can succeed in life, and they can make their own legacy, like Lilly is doing. Watch ELLA’s story on CBS.
ELLA connects with female athletes and their families via three principles: Athletics, Education, and Community. Since it was established in 2020, ELLA Sports Foundation has reached over 7,000 female student athletes; bestowed over $12,000 in academic scholarships; donated nearly $40,000 in sports equipment to high school female sports teams; reached nearly 1,000 coaches; saved nearly $100,000 in sports camps and showcases; and saved parents almost $12 million dollars in tuition fees.
