NEW ORLEANS – The NFCA’s record-breaking 2016 convention concluded on Saturday with the Champions Brunch, ‘Drills, Drills, Drills,” Chalk Talks, speakers and the Olympian Reunion game.
Everyone grabbed a cup of coffee and headed over to hear Campbellsville Kim Borders Dunlap (pitching), Kansas’ Megan Smith (infield) and San Diego State’s Stacey Nuveman Deniz (hitting & catching) share drills in their areas of expertise during “Drills, Drills, Drills.”
Following the morning drills session, attendees grabbed their last meal of the convention at the Champions Brunch. While enjoying a plentiful breakfast, coaches from all memberships (regionally & nationally) were recognized for their achievements of 2016. Additionally, Olympians who were in attendance were recognized prior to brunch. Houston Baptist’s Roger Willhite, Wayne State University’s Pat Kent, Central College’s Alicia O’Brien, Auburn-Montgomery’s Scottie Wilkes, Sierra College Brett Magorian and Deer Park High School’s (Texas) Errica Cantu received their Easton Assistant Coach of the Year awards. Concluding the brunch, regional coaching staffs of the years were recognized, while head coaches from the respective national coaching staffs of the year gave thanks and spoke in front of their peers.
After brunch, Central Michigan’s Margo Jonker (Parent Orientation), Arkansas’ Matt Meuchel (How Statistics & Metrics Can Help You Win Games), Adelphi’s Bree Nasti (Creating Culture: Autonomy in Action) and Virginia’s Joanna Hardin (Rising in the Coaching Ranks) presented on their respecitive topic in the Chalk Talk sessions.
Rounding out the convention schedule were the final two speakers- Alabama’s Stephanie VanBrakle Prothro (Transition from Pitcher to Pitching Coach) and Denison’s Tiffany Ozbun (The Hidden Influence of Catching: Relationships & the Games within the Game).
Following the last session of convention, several attendees headed over to University of New Orleans’ Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark for the USA Softball Olympian Reunion game against the Louisville Slugger Warriors. In a light-hearted and fun event, USA’s greats got together on the field for the first time in several years to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1996 Olympic gold medal squad and the return of softball to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
The event was preceded by a diversity clinic in which coaches volunteered their time to work with New Orleans’ youths and teach them softball.