The 2004 National Fastpitch Coaches Association kicked on Friday at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Over 1,000 coaches are registered for the event, making it the largest gathering ever for the NFCA National Convention.
The day began early at the Paiute Golf Course, where over 100 golfers hit the links at the annual Wilson Golf Scramble. UNLV head coach Lonni Alameda and Mississippi State head coach Jay Miller, who also won the closest to the pin contest, claimed first-place honors in the scramble along with Rick Hasty and Cheri Kempf with a 14-under-par 58.
William Jewell head coach Eddie Hornback won the men’s longest drive for the second consecutive year, while three-time Olympic gold medalist Lisa Fernandez claimed longest drive honors on the women’s side.
James Bouman delivered the pre-convention Sport Psychology seminar, while NCAA Life Skills Specialist Stan Johnson conducted the Diversity Training Seminar.
New convention attendees were treated to an orientation session, while four committees – Rules and Officials, Awards and Hall of Fame, Diversity and Internet held meetings. The overall chairs of the All-American committees also met prior to tomorrow’s regional chair meeting.
A standing-room only crowd packed the Assistant Coach Caucus, which took place prior to the convention’s opening business meeting.
The Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year awards, the Academic Top Ten awards and the high school poll winner were presented at the opening business meeting, which was highlighted by presentations by the ASA National Teams Director Ronnie Isham, NPF President/CEO Rich Levine, LPFA Tour scouting director Sharron Backus and ISF President Don Porter.
The ISF signed an agreement with the NFCA that will further advance the popular National Fastpitch Coaches College. The new plan will help advance coaches in other countries using the NFCA’s coaches college curriculum.
Convention attendees were treated to the sounds of SisterWives, a blues/rock band that features Utah head coach and NFCA president Mona Stevens. The band was a featured attraction of the Louisville Slugger reception, attended by over 700 people.
The convention continues Saturday, and will conclude on Monday.
