The induction of Henry Christowski, Judy Groff and George Wares into the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame highlighted a busy Friday at the NFCA National Convention in Las Vegas. Christowski and Wares both earned their inductions after tremendous careers at the Division III level. Christowski ranks among the winningest coaches in Division III history following his 13 seasons, and he has guided the Storm to six NCAA Division III national tournament appearances that included national championships in 1997 and 1999.
Wares has lead Central College to four Division III national titles in his 23 seasons in Pella, Iowa. A winner of nearly 800 games, Wares ranks third in career victories and fourth in winning percentage as his teams claimed two runner-up finishes and 12 top-five showings at the NCAA Division III national championship tournament.
Groff recently wrapped up her 39th season at the helm of the American International College softball team. Since she started the program in 1969, Groff has won over 800 games to place her among an elite group of six Division II coaches to amass 850 career wins. She has posted 30 winning seasons, including 20 of the last 24, and reached the NCAA tournament 14 times in the last 23 seasons.
In addition to Friday night’s Hall of Fame ceremonies, Friday included another stellar line-up of speakers that included presentations by DePaul head coach Eugene Lenti and two-time Olympic gold medalist Michele Smith on a replica softball field in the exhibit hall.
Saturday’s line-up includes the annual closing business meeting followed by the NFCA Coaching Staff of the Year brunch in which the national and regional coaching staffs of the year from each division will be honored for their accomplishments in 2007.
The convention concludes with the conclusion of this year’s speakers, which also features the adidas roundtable lunch.
