NEW ORLEANS – A 1,500-game winner, the revamped and successful mentoring session, the opening of the exhibit hall, early morning workouts, extra-inning fireside chats, business meetings and an after-hour party were some of the many highlights from day two of the record-breaking 2016 NFCA Convention in New Orleans.
The day kicked off with a brand-new early morning workout session, Beignet Busters, conducted by MIT head coach and director of sports performance Jennifer Williams. Take a look at what the session had to offer below.
Following business caucuses for NCAA Division I, II & III, NAIA and NJCAA, over 100 coaches were recognized for reaching various milestone, including the first four-year college coach to reach the 1,500-win plateau, NFCA Hall of Famer Phil McSpadden (’14) of Oklahoma City University. Additionally, Michigan’s Carol Hutchins (‘06) was honored for becoming the NCAA’s all-time winningest coach, finishing 2016 with 1,484 victories.
During the luncheon,coaches being recognized for achieving 1,100 or more wins received beautifully engraved crystal. Members having reached plateaus stretching from 300-900 victories were awarded personalized plaques and certificates were presented to 100 or 200-win coaches in honor of their special achievements.
The day also featured the opening of the sold-out exhibit hall, featuring 85 companies. It allows members to mingle with vendors, while learning about the latest in equipment, apparel and innovative products. The final hour was capped off with the Mizuno Happy Hour and an exhibit hall raffle.
Under the guidance of soon to be NFCA Hall of Famer Michigan State head coach Jacquie Joseph and Nebraska assistant Diane Miller, experienced coaches volunteered to give advice and life lessons to younger head and assistant coaches.
Additionally, mentors are asked to “pay it forward” donating money toward great prizes and educational opportunities for the mentees. With that, young assistant and head coaches went away with several one-year NFCA memberships to a National Champion visit, where a coach and their staff can observe a practice of the previous year's NCAA Division I national champion. This year’s recipient was Rock Valley College (NJCAA DIII), head coach Darin Monroe and his staff. The three-time NJCAA DIII national champions earn a trip to Norman, Okla. to learn from Patty Gasso and her staff.
Following the mentoring session, the conversations continued in a laid-back setting in a new session called “Fireside Chats.” Groups were split into two categories, hitting and pitching. Lasting late into the evening, coaches shared their ideas on the topic and had healthy conversations in an intimate setting. Coaches also had the opportunity to take part in a panel discussion-Coaching Today’s Athlete- sponsored by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Speakers included Gasso, who presented “Championship Coach: The Power in Empowerment” and Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton discussed base running in her “The Next 60 Feet” presentation.
The evening ended at the House of Blues, where karaoke and dancing was the highlight of the Diamond/PGF party.
Friday’s lineup is chalk full of speakers and meetings as well as the Softball Summit, the Grassroots Seminar, Coach Emeriti panel and the Hall of Fame Banquet. This year’s Hall of Fame Class features, Joseph, Sam Houston State’s Bob Brock, Utah’s Mona Stevens and John Tschida, head coach at the University of St. Thomas.
