NEW ORLEANS — A record crowd of 1,594 attendees converged on the New Orleans Marriott from Dec. 7-10 to #GetJazzed at this year’s NFCA National Convention.

The “Greatest Softball Show on Earth” lived up to and exceeded expectations, with a pair of well-attended pre-Convention seminars, jam-packed speaker sessions and another sold-out exhibit show.

The previous best-attended Convention was the 1,433 that were at the 2014 edition in Las Vegas. The 2015 Convention in Atlanta had 1,416 attendees, while the 2013 event drew 1,234 to San Antonio and 1,288 were in Las Vegas in 2011.

Four new faces — Sam Houston State head coach Bob Brock, Michigan State head coach Jacquie Joseph, former University of Utah head coach Mona Stevens and University of St. Thomas head coach John Tschida — were inducted into the NFCA Hall of Fame in the event’s signature event on Dec. 9 and the USA Softball Olympian Celebration Game the following night brought many of softball’s stars back together for the first time in the same place since they won international acclaim. The exhibition contest against the Louisville Slugger Warriors saluted both the 20th anniversary of the softball’s debut in the 1996 Olympics as well as the vote earlier this year to return the sport to the world stage in Tokyo in 2020.

Also on Dec. 10, NFCA coaches also took time to give back, with a youth clinic presented by the Association’s Diversity Committee prior to the exhibition game at the University of New Orleans’ Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark. Earlier on the final day, the annual brunch recognizing coaches that earned Regional and National Coaching Staff of the Year honors, plus the Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year winners was held.

The always-popular Drills, Drills, Drills session and the traditional roundtable discussions, renamed “NFCA Chalk Talks,” and presentations on the transition from pitcher to pitching coach by the University of Alabama’s Stephanie VanBrakle and the influence of catching by Denison University head coach Tiffany Ozbun wrapped up the formal programming in time for everyone to get to the USA Softball game.

On Dec. 9, the Softball Summit again provided a venue for a group discussion of the hot topics of the game and this year’s Donna Newberry “Perseverance” winner, Michael Lotief of the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, offered an emotional and heartfelt acceptance speech that won’t soon be forgotten.

Caucus meetings for the various member groups and their head coach committees were held during the week to get business done and another star-studded group of coaches and individuals gave presentations throughout the four days on topics important to the development of coaches at all levels.   

A packed house got jazzed right away on Dec. 7 at the “First Pitch” Opening Welcome with NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman and Board President Rhonda Revelle and keynote speaker Brett Ledbetter’s “What Drives Winning” presentation, along with other featured speakers. Over 300 attendees arrived early to participate in the two pre-Convention seminars — a choice of either the Assistant Coach University or the Pitching Seminar with NFCA Hall of Famer Cindy Bristow.

The Convention clinics were once again sponsored by Sports Attack, and the usual group of breakfasts, happy hours, parties, receptions and other social events were presented by loyal Association supporters Diamond, Mizuno, PGF, Schutt Sports, Wilson, USSSA and Softball Factory. In the exhibit hall, a series of drawings and raffles proved popular, as did the annual NFCA Silent Auction, featuring products and services generously provided by many of the 85 participating exhibitors.

The annual Victory Club luncheon saluted member coaches that reached a win milestone over the past year, including two coaches — Oklahoma City University’s Phil McSpadden and Baker High’s Tony Scarbrough — that passed 1,500 career triumphs.

As in past years, four NFCC classes were offered on location in the host city. Courses 404 and 405 were conducted prior to the start of the Convention and Courses 402 and 406 were heating up as the main Convention program was winding down. Participants split their class time between the hotel and LSU’s magnificent Tiger Park complex.

New features this year were a pair of morning workouts on Dec. 8-9 led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology head coach and director of sport performance Jen Williams; a professional headshot booth, which was included in the price of Convention registration; the first-ever Director of Operations programming, which offered ideas useful for not only that member group, but all member coaches; a LGBTQ and ally gathering; and a pair of Extra Innings Fireside Chats to build on the hitting and pitching knowledge shared in the Mentoring Workshop that immediately preceded them.

The Association returns to Las Vegas in 2017 for its next Convention, from Dec. 6-9.