2022 NFCA Convention: Preview of the Agenda for Friday, Dec. 9th

The 2022 NFCA Convention rolled on Thursday at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa in San Antonio, Texas and saw the opening of the Exhibition Hall which will include more than 100 (unofficially at 110) vendors…. see the complete list HERE.

Extra Inning Softball’s Brentt Eads and Justin McLeod are at the event which continues in full swing today and is highlighted by the Hall of Fame Reception which will celebrate the NFCA’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Here is a list of all scheduled meetings and classes for today:

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 9

• 6:15-7:15 AM | Pickleball Courts — Pickleball in memory of Jan Gentry | View Details

  Pickleball gathering in memory of Jan Gentry, the longtime NCAA Associate Director, Championships and Alliances for Division III softball. Open to all. Bring your pickleball paddle for some informal fun and fellowship.

• 6:15-7:15 AM — Core Strength/Mobility | Indian paintbrush/Larkspur | View Details

  NFCA Convention attendees can get their energy levels up first thing in the morning with a group core strength & mobility session led by Dartmouth head coach Jen Williams!

• 6:15-7:15 AM — Yoga | Iris/Lily | View Details

  Rise and shine and start your day off right with a group yoga session led by Seton Hill head coach Cassie Moore!

  ** Please bring your own yoga mat.

• 7:00 AM-1:00 PM — Convention Registration & Merchandise | View Details

  Make sure you stop by the registration desk to pick up your credential and event information. Also, visit our merchandise desk to receive a free gift from the NFCA, play games to win prizes, and look through our inventory of new swag.

  ***Access into any and all NFCA Convention sessions requires a credential and lanyard.
  ***Credentials must be worn at all times during the annual Convention and may be obtained on-site at the NFCA Convention registration desk.
  ***Please note, security will monitor entry into all of the Convention sessions and access will not be permitted without the appropriate accreditation.

• 7:00-8:00 AM — FCA Breakfast | Periwinkle/Verbena

• 7:30-9:00 AM — NFCA Breakfast | Foyer | View Details

  Grab a bite to eat and fuel yourself before a full day of education.

• 7:30-9:00 AM — Coping & Coaching With Cancer | Sunflower/Wisteria | View Details

  Come share stories, have open dialogue, and trade tips of how to go through your season while battling this disease. Open for anyone who wants to help themselves, a player or a loved one. Come hear stories from two survivors that made it through their seasons, while on chemotherapy, radiation and having surgeries.

• 7:30-9:00 AM — Coaches For Coaches | Begonia/ Bottlebrush | View Details

  While the coaching profession is rewarding, it is also tumultuous and sometimes it can lead to the most challenging moments of your life. Come listen and share as colleagues who have gone through the most difficult moments in the profession, from student-athlete complaints to investigations, provide insights and ideas on how to process these events and come out on the other side.

• 7:30-9:00 AM — Parents Who Coach | Bluebonnet/Dogwood | View Details

  Grab your breakfast and come join fellow parents who are balancing the personal and professional demands of coaching with their family responsibilities.

• 8:30-9:50 AM — High School Caucus | Cibolo Canyon 1-5 | View Details

  Only High School NFCA members may attend and propose items for consideration by the group and have a voice/vote during the caucus.

  The premier business event of the Convention, the High School Caucus brings together the membership group to discuss current issues, review and discuss pending legislation, create action plans for future changes to the game and collaboratively shape the sport for the future.

• 8:30-9:50 AM — Travel Ball Caucus | Cibolo Canyon 6-11 | View Details

  Only Travel Ball NFCA members may attend and propose items for consideration by the group and have a voice/vote during the caucus.

  The premier business event of the Convention, the Travel Ball Caucus brings together the membership group to discuss current issues, review and discuss pending legislation, create action plans for future changes to the game and collaboratively shape the sport for the future.

• 9-9:50 AM — Director of Operations Roundtables | Bluebonnet/Dogwood | View Details

  Designed for the individuals who keep your program running, the 2022 Director of Operations Roundtables provide time and space for Ops personnel, support staff, and coaching staff members with operations responsibilities to share best practices, tips, and tricks to help ensure that you are as productive and efficient as possible.

• 9:00 AM-3:00 PM — Exhibit Hall Open | View Details

  Head inside the exhibit hall to visit with over 100 companies. The growth of our sport depends on the investment of these entities, so show your support and discover innovative products, apparel and services that will ultimately benefit your teams!

• 

  9:00-9:50 AM — “Tales From the Tape: How to scout while watching game film” – Rachel Lawson (Kentucky | Grand Oaks A-J | View Details

  Quick pitch by FieldTurf prior to presentation

  With game film available for an increasing number of teams, there are more and more opportunities to scout your future opponents. However the question remains, where do you start? We will cover that and more in this first-of-its-kind Convention session.

• 9:00-9:50 AM — “Enneagram & Team Management ” – Dot Richardson (Liberty) | Grand Oaks K-S | View Details

  Also featuring: Bill Relyea (Rosemont College)

  How to use the TOOL of the Enneagram to understand yourself and others better in order to build the best staff and team culture possible! An interactive and engaging participation event! Relevant and life changing!

• 10:00-10:50 AM — “How We Hit: Revolutionizing the way we practice” | Rachel Balkovec (Tampa Tarpons) | Grand Oaks A-J | View Details

  Quick pitch by HitTrax prior to presentation

  How we use our brain to hit a ball (How we actually see a ball being hit and how that should and could completely revolutionize practice)

• 10:00-10:50 AM — “Developing the Athletic Catcher” – Lauren Lappin (Arizona) | Grand Oaks K-S | View Details

  Increased athleticism will improve your catcher’s blocking, throwing, receiving, and more. Learn how to unleash their athleticism to get the most out of the position

• 10:00-10:50 AM — Developing Your Financial Gameplan – Morgan Stanley | Cibolo Canyon 1-5 | View Details

  A live chat with finance industry experts, sharing their game plan for you to become financially fit. This presentation will feature financial advisors, John Ludwig and Madison Osias from Morgan Stanley’s Global Sports and Entertainment division, where they will provide you with key insights and suggested action items that will empower you to take control of your financial future.

• 10:00 AM – Noon — Resume Building | Begonia/Bottlebrush | View Details

  Does your resume need a refresh? Do you need to brush up on your interviewing skills? Would you like to talk in a safe space with someone about climbing the ladder and job mobility? Registered attendees can sign up for a time to visit with experienced industry leaders for a one on one session to help prepare you for the next step in your career.

  Click HERE to sign up.

• 10:00 AM-1:00 PM — Coach Emeriti Luncheon & Meeting | Sunday House | View Details

  Invitation-only event for Coach Emeriti members to enjoy fellowship, discuss relevant topics within the sport, and to engage our Coach Emeriti members in NFCA educational offerings.

  

• 11:00-11:50 AM — “1st & 3rd Plays: Hidden Offensive Opportunities” – Mark Montgomery (Maryland) | Grand Oaks A-J | View Details

  Take a deep dive into the offensive scenarios first and thirds offer in order to gain more total bases and elevate your likelihood to score runs.

• 11:00-11:50 AM — “Building the Elite Pitcher: Whip It and Rip It!” | Rita Lynn Gilman (softballpitchingtools.com) | Grand Oaks K-S | View Details

  From Grassroots to NFCA All-American Pitcher. Gilman will share her pitching philosophy emphasizing arm whip and finger pressure, as well as training techniques that you can implement with your pitcher from 10u through college. Learn ways to improve velocity and spin immediately and for the long term.

• Noon — Sports Attack Raffle | View Details

  NFCA Official Sponsor Sports Attack will raffle off one FREE Junior Hack Attack pitching machine to be shipped straight to your door post-Convention. Stop by booths 1004, 1006 & 1008 to enter!

• Noon-12:50 p.m. — HitTrax Present: Home Run Derby with the Pros (and Coaches) | Exhibit Hall | View Details

  NFCA Official Sponsor HitTrax invites you to the Exhibit Hall batting cage for a Home Run Derby along with refreshments and snacks. Who will be crowned the 2022 champion?

• 1:00-1:30 PM — Exhibitor Educational Session: SmartMitt | “Using SmartMitt for Effective Velocity” | Perry Husband | Cibolo Canyon 1-5

• 1:30-2:50 PM — Softball Summit presented by USA Softball | Grand Oaks A-J | View Details

  The Softball Summit presented by USA Softball is a ‘must-attend’ event. It affords attendees the opportunity to hear relevant issues surrounding the sport from various softball dignitaries.

• 3:00-3:50 PM — “Power Transfer in Rotational Athletes” | Melissa Schmitz (Texas) | Grand Oaks K-S | View Details

Programming during the Grassroots Summit presented by Wilson is designed specifically for the travel ball, high school and youth coach.

3-3:45 PM: College Coach Panel
Panelists: Craig Snider (Texas Tech), Lisa Van Ackeren (Princeton), Monique White (Hampton), Maria Winn-Ratliff (Trinity Valley CC), Steve Crook (Concordia Wisconsin)

Join this diverse panel of collegiate coaches to get all your questions answered. From recruiting to practice planning, these coaches will cover it all.

3:50-4:20 PM – “Throwing Mechanics & Arm Care ” – Tony Smith (Northwestern)
Arm health and throwing mechanics are an ongoing concern for today’s youth athletes. Learn how you can develop a plan for your team to ensure everyone stays healthy and effective.

4:20-4:50 PM – “Building a Foundation for High-Level Movement”- Melissa Schmitz (Texas)
Movement patterns matter. Get insight on training today’s student-athletes in a way that not only boosts their on-field numbers, but also creates a much-needed foundation for their future.

• 3:00- 5:00 PM — Resume Building | Begonia/Bottlebrush | View Details

  Does your resume need a refresh? Do you need to brush up on your interviewing skills? Would you like to talk in a safe space with someone about climbing the ladder and job mobility? Registered attendees can sign up for a time to visit with experienced industry leaders for a one on one session to help prepare you for the next step in your career.

• 4:00-4:50 PM — “How to Win With What You Have” Kristi Bredbenner (Wichita State) | Grand Oaks K-S | View Details

  Want to build a sustainable program? Use the assets you have. It’s easy to play the comparison game and focus on the “don’t haves” when you’re in the middle of the grind, but changing your outlook will change everything.

• 5:00-6:00 PM — Social Hour presented by SANMAR Sports | Foyer | View Details

  Attendees have the opportunity to network and mingle while enjoying a complimentary beer, wine, or soft drink during this Social Hour presented by SANMAR Sports.

• 6:30-7:00 PM — NFCA Hall of Fame Reception | Foyer | View Details

  Come join us and mingle with friends over drinks before we celebrate the NFCA’s Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

  Credential and lanyard required.

• 7:00-10:00 PM — NFCA Hall of Fame Banquet (Formal Attire) | Grand Oaks A-J | View Details

*****

*** To see the rest of the week’s schedule of events, click HERE.

*** To see all the speakers at the NFCA Convention, click HERE.

And it’s never too early to start planning for NEXT year’s NFCA Convention which will be a noteworthy one; it’ll be the 40^th anniversary and will be held in the host’s backyard (Louisville, Kentucky)!