LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NFCA recently added three new names to the list of individuals who have achieved National Fastpitch Coaches College (NFCC) Four-Star Master Coach status.

Kevin Bednoski of Virginia Glory, Peter Fernandes of Emerson College and Todd Marino of Concord Academy joined the elite group of coaches who have completed all eight NFCC classes. In their case, that final course was NFCC 408: Next-Level Coaching & Game-Day Observation on June 16-17 at Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Ill.

The trio was publicly saluted for their accomplishment on the first day of the class during a break in the Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) game between the Oklahoma City Spark and Chicago Bandits.

Coaches at that event received exclusive behind-the-scenes access to AUSL coaches, players and general managers for Q&A sessions, and explored what goes into pre-game warmups, game planning, lineup construction, scouting reports, in-game charting, adjustments and athlete communication.

“Receiving the Four-Star Master Coach designation is truly an honor, but more than anything, it’s a reflection of the incredible educational opportunities the NFCA provides,” Bednoski said. “The game continues to evolve, and the athletes we serve deserve coaches who are willing to keep growing right alongside it.”

“Beyond everything learned in the classroom, one of the best parts of the journey has been the people,” he continued. “Every course has been an opportunity to meet new coaches, reconnect with longtime friends, and build relationships with others who all share the same passion. Those conversations and friendships continue well beyond the course itself, and that’s one of the things that makes the NFCA community so special.”

“It’s been incredible meeting so many coaches and getting their take on different aspects of the game,” Fernandes said. “It’s a great accomplishment in my softball coaching journey. I truly appreciate the time and dedication the instructors spend on developing the course work.”

Marino agreed.

“Having the opportunity to sit down with so many different high-level coaches throughout the course program has really helped shape my identity as coach, how my teams play on the field and how I coach them in practice,” he explained. “Even more, I feel I am a far greater communicator and listener for my players through this program as well. I am extremely grateful to the NFCA for offering the Star Coaching Education Program.”

Being able to have their final class occur at a brand-new NFCA location, with the Association collaborating for the first time with the AUSL on a course offering, proved a perfect fit.

“Early on, when I started to take the NFCC classes, I said the last course was going to be the 408 class,” Fernandes said. “After reading about the course and what the experience would be like, I felt this was the best place to finish. It didn’t disappoint.”

Bednoski and Marino jumped at the opportunity afforded by a rare opening on their calendar.

“Timing is everything, right?” Marino asked rhetorically. “For us in Massachusetts, I was just waiting for my daughter to complete her high school softball career, as our state tournament potentially was always a schedule conflict with the class. She just completed her freshman year in college, so this was the year I always had circled as the time to take this course.”

“This year’s schedule worked out perfectly,” Bednoski added. “For the first time in a while, I didn’t have a coaching commitment, which made attending the Chicago course possible. It also happened to be the final course I needed for completion. There isn’t really a ‘right order’ for these courses, but NFCC 408 felt like an outstanding capstone. It brought together so many leadership and learning concepts that we can immediately take back to our programs, making it a fitting way to complete the journey.”

Coaches receive one star for every two NFCC courses they complete. Each unique two-day course provides attendees with one-of-a-kind educational content and access to the premier instructors in the game to help them elevate their coaching so that they and their athletes both get better. All three felt the NFCC lineup of courses allowed them that chance.

“The longer you coach, the more you realize you don’t have all the answers,” Bednoski said. “Every course offered something valuable, whether it was a new coaching idea, a different perspective, or a practical takeaway that could be brought back to the team. Just as important were the opportunities to connect with colleagues. Some of the best learning happened before class, during breaks, and long after the sessions ended, simply by talking softball with coaches who were so willing to share their experiences.”

“My goal was definitely to achieve the Four-Star Coach status,” Marino admitted. “The NFCC collection of courses offer a more intimate setting to speak with a number of high-end and diverse minds who coach softball at various levels. Being able to learn what makes them successful, what works and what doesn’t for them, to get the chance to just talk to them about all sorts of situations and scenarios (and) their approaches on and off the field has been so valuable to me.”

“I was introduced to the NFCA by another Four-Star Master Coach (longtime Emerson College head coach) Phil McElroy,” Fernandes explained. “At the time, I was attending coaches conventions near me, but nothing on the level of the NFCA. After my first (NFCA) Convention and NFCC class, I was hooked. I couldn’t believe there was a place where coaches from every level of the game came together to share ideas and learn from each other.”

They were unanimous in their advice for young and veteran coaches alike.

“Join the NFCA!” Marino said. “The education aspect aside, which is a phenomenal perk on its own, I have had the opportunity to meet so many coaches from all levels of the game from all over the country. Having the chance to connect with them and pick their brains has been so helpful to me as a coach. I wouldn’t be the person or coach I am today without the NFCA experience!”

“It’s the best decision you can make if you’re serious about coaching softball at any level,” Fernandes added. “The opportunity to interact with some of the best softball coaches in the world is priceless. I would never have had the opportunity to be exposed to the amount of information that has helped me in my journey if I wasn’t part of the NFCA.”

“Just get started. Attend a Convention. Take one course. Go to a Clinic. Jump on a webinar,” Bednoski said. “Introduce yourself to someone you don’t know. Log into your Coach’s Box. Ask questions. Listen. Build relationships. Invest in your craft.”

“Before you know it, you will be hooked!” he continued. “The NFCA has created this incredible community of coaches who genuinely want to help one another. Sharing years of experience so openly and investing in fellow coaches is an incredible gift. The best coaches are lifelong learners. When coaches continue to grow, athletes benefit.” 

For more information about our variety of NFCC course offerings, visit https://nfca.org/national-fastpitch-coaches-college