NEW ORLEANS – A record-setting crowd will descend on the New Orleans Marriott for the 2016 NFCA Convention. With close to 1,600 members expected, the association’s signature event will shatter its previous mark of 1,433, obtained two years ago in Las Vegas.
Wednesday was highlighted by the “First Pitch” Opening Welcome and keynote address by Brett Ledbetter in front of a packed house. Executive Director Carol Bruggeman and President Rhonda Revelle welcomed the attendees and recognized several individual and team achievements, before turning it over to friends of the NFCA- Jenny Dalton-Hill (assistant coach/USA Baseball), Cheri Kempf (Commissioner/National Pro Fastpitch), Ron Radigonda (Executive Director/World Baseball Softball Federation) and Craig Cress (Executive Director/USA Softball).
Ledbetter presented his “What Drives Winning” seminar on how to get results and be about the right things in achieving those goals. He led an engaging conversation on how successful coaches are able to manage people and shape the outside (behavior), while developing the inside (character), using Mike Krzyzewski and how he worked with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and other star NBA players to build a cohesive Gold Medal winning basketball team as an example.
Prior to the First Pitch, over 300 members took part in a four-hour pre-convention seminars of their choosing. NFCA Hall of Famer and Softball Excellence founder Cindy Bristow imparted her wisdom and humor about pitching, while five coaches- Jacquie Joseph (Michigan State), Rachel Hanson (Stanford), Diane Miller (Nebraska), Randy Schneider (Iowa State) and Lindsay Leftwich (LSU)- shared their knowledge and experiences in the second-year Assistant Coaching University (Coaching Pillars).
In addition to the speakers, coaches gathered on the first day to take part in several committee meetings and concluded their evening with the USSSA opening reception and Wilson “Queen of Diamonds” after party.
Thursday kicks off with the opening of the sold-out exhibit hall (85 companies) at 11:00 a.m. and the Victory Club luncheon in which coaches, who reached milestone victories in 2016, are honored.
In the morning, several college caucuses will conduct business after eating a hearty continental breakfast sponsored by Schutt Sports. Our first two convention speakers, head coach Patty Gasso of 2016 Division I national champion Oklahoma and Marshall head coach Shonda Stanton, take the stage in the afternoon.
The evening includes the popular and insightful mentoring session where pre-selected mentors discuss various coaching topics in small groups with all mentees in attendance.
Following the workshop will be a brand-new feature- Extra Inning Fireside Chats. Build on the connections you just made in the mentoring workshop or just stop by to hear perspectives on other subjects, such as hitting and pitching, from top coaches in a laid-back setting.
Additionally, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes will conduct a two-hour session- Coaching Today’s Athlete- after the conclusion of the mentoring workshop.
If you’re in the mood for being social over some drinks, take part in the Mizuno Happy Hour as the first day of the exhibit hall perusing winds down. And, to cap off the night socially head over to the House of Blues for the Diamond/PGF party.
