CHICAGO – Three new members joined the NFCA Hall of Fame on day three of the 2018 NFCA National Convention at the Sheraton Grand Chicago. Additionally, there was a full lineup of speakers and the Softball Summit presented by USA Softball featured several softball dignitaries, award winners, including our ONE Drive winner, Kate Poppe, head coach at Haverford College.

In the signature event, Salisbury’s Margie Knight, the late Mike Lambros of North Davidson High School (N.C.) and Tennessee’s Karen Weekly were enshrined into the NFCA Hall of Fame. The Association also announced its class of 2019 which will consist of

Following the banquet, attendees had the opportunity to attend the Legacy Event Management (NFCA Conventino Sponsor) Reception.

Our workout/yoga tandem of Jen Williams (Dartmouth) and Cassie (Bethany College) once again kick started the day. San Diego Summer Softball sponsored our continental breakfast, which fueled coaches for a loaded speaker schedule.

At the Summit, softball dignitaries- NPF commissioner Cheri Kempf, USA Softball’s Chris Sebren and USA Baseball’s Jenny Dalton-Hill provided overviews for the those in attendance. Additionally, NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor Vickie Van Kleeck went over rule interpretations, while new Coordinator of Umpires Craig Hyde discussed umpire education and went over a few rules as well.

The Summit also featured several award recognitions, which included ESPN’s Meg Aronowitz, who received the Melinda Fischer Distinguished Service award. Prior Aronowitz, Fischer was recognized for her selfless dedication and volunteerism to the NFCA for over 25 years and was presented with a customized bat in honor of the renamed award.

Additionally, NFCA Humanitarian Award winner University of San Diego’s Melissa McElvain and Donna Newberry “Perseverance” Award recipient, Southern Illinois’ Jen Sewell received their awards.

The sold-out exhibit show closed on Friday, which included the Sports Attack Raffle (NFCA Convention Sponsor) where one attendee took home a Junior Hack Attack pitching machine. NFCA Official Sponsor HitTrax featured virtual Home Run Derby will take place on Friday in the exhibit hall and feature a group of professional players and collegiate coaches.

The day also featured seven featured speakers, along with our Grassroots Summit, which included a coaches panel Q&A session, Illinois Chill’s Gerry Quinn speaking on running tryouts and Liberty’s Dot Richardson on ‘Coach ‘Em Up! Developing Players for the Next Level.”

The final day features Drills, Drills, Drills, Chalk Talks, a Metal Health panel with Official Convention sponsor USSSA and the Champions Brunch, along with our final speaker Jennifer Patrick-Swift, whose talk with be “Using Technology to Enhance Your Players & Program, presented by NFCA Official Sponsor Diamond Kinetics.”