The NFCA Convention continued its 2006 gathering Thursday, seeing individual caucuses and the beginning of a list of top-notch speakers at the J.W. Marriott Starr Pass Resort in Tucson, Ariz. 

Following committee meetings, each membership group gathered for caucus meetings prior to attending the annual Easton Victory Club Luncheon. Nearly 100 coaches were received awards for achieving coaching milestones during the 2006 season. Fresno State head coach Margie Wright was recognized for notching her 1,200th career victory. 

Thursday saw the opening day of the exhibit show with over 80 companies in attendance to feature their lines of fastpitch products. The convention’s second day also marked the first of an impressive set of speakers. 

Kate Drohan, who led Northwestern to a national runner-up finish this past season, discussed the “Five-Year Plan for Success.” Before Nancy Evans, assistant coach of defending national champion Arizona, talked about “Advanced Topics in Pitching,” the contingent was treated to a question and answer session with NFCA Hall of Famers Sharron Backus, Dianne Baker, Kathy Veroni and Linda Wells.