LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NFCA is pleased to announce Braeden Netherton as the 2025 recipient of the Wade J. Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship for High School Coaches.
Netherton, who is the head coach at Bob Jones High School (Ala.), will receive funding to attend the 2025 NFCA National Convention, Dec. 10-13 at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas. Included is a complimentary Convention registration, $700 in travel reimbursement and up to four nights paid at the Convention host hotel.
Netherton, who is an English teacher at BJHS, is in her second year leading the Patriot softball program. She began her coaching & teaching career in 2017 at Decatur High and moved to Brewer High before taking over at BJHS in July of 2024.
“Braeden is a great young coach, who wants to rebuild the BJHS program,” said NFCA emeriti member Kent Chambers, who retired in 2016 after 28 years as Bob Jones’ head coach. “She is a strong-willed person, who the players love.”
Netherton inherited a program in nearly $100,000 of debt and got right to work with numerous fundraisers and cost-cutting measures, which included the team playing every game close to home and eliminating overnight trips that would require a hotel (something the players were previously accustomed to). In just one year, her hard work and dedication to pinching pennies has cut the deficit in half.
“Having known Braeden for a little over a year, I have seen her passion for the sport of softball,” Chambers said. “In just one year, she has had to deal with so many hardships and I can’t imagine how she has managed them. She has maintained a very positive attitude through it all. ”
In addition to dealing with the debt, Netherton dealt with multiple health issues during her first year. In December of 2024 she required a procedure that would keep her away from the school and team for several days, but was fortunate to have her assistants lead off-season workouts in her absence. During the spring season, she had to deal with a concerning spot on her breast.
“As an NFCA Emeriti member, I love seeing the younger coaches want to grow the sport,” stated Chambers. “Braeden has the fire to build a great program, and I see her desire to want to learn everything she can about softball. I believe the opportunity to attend the Convention will help her grow as a coach.”
Wade J. Bruggeman, the late father of NFCA CEO Carol Bruggeman, spent his entire 38-year career as a high school teacher, coach, and principal in the state of Iowa. Reviewed and voted on by the NFCA Awards Committee and his widow Ruth Bruggeman, this scholarship provides a way to 'pay it forward' for high school coaches to assist with professional development.
This scholarship is awarded to a high school member coach who combines a shared passion for education and coaching, while showing a commitment to youth education and growing the sport of softball.
Netherton will be recognized on Thursday, Dec. 11 during the Convention’s annual mentoring workshop.
View previous recipients here.
The NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its extensive awards and scholarships program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from NFCA podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of 7,000 coaches today!
