Tennessee Mojo 2021 Named 2019 NFCA Travel Ball National Coaching Staff of the Year

Tennessee Mojo 2021’s Brooks Cherry and his staff were recognized by their peers as the 2019 NFCA Travel Ball National Coaching Staff of the Year, the Association announced on Friday afternoon.

Coming out of the NFCA’s South Region, Cherry, along with assistants Wayne Key and Mark Sellers, guided the Mojo to the 16u Junior Olympic Cup title. It marked the eighth national title for the 2021 squad, which defeated the Williamsburg Starz in the championship game. The Mojo finished 10^thoverall in final National NPS Rankings (US Club Rankings) for 16u.

This is the first NFCA national honor for Cherry, who also captured a South Region nod in 2017. Additionally, the Mojo organization has taken home a regional accolade the past four seasons.

Along with the Mojo, Virginia Unity 18u (East), Beverly Bandits 16u – Team Conroy (North), Texas Glory 2024 (South Central) and E.C. Bullets California 2020 (West) garnered NFCA Regional Coaching Staff of the Year recognition and were in contention for national honors (see article below).

The NFCA Travel Ball National Coaching Staff of the Year winner is voted on by fellow NFCA Travel Ball members. Only NFCA members are eligible for nomination and able to vote.

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Five programs Named 2019 NFCA Travel Ball Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year

Originally posted on Extra Inning Softball on October 5, 2019

Five programs were voted by their peers as 2019 NFCA Travel Ball Regional Coaching Staffs of the Year, the NFCA announced this week.

Representing each of the NFCA’s five Travel Ball regions, these respective coaching staffs – Virginia Unity 18u (East), Beverly Bandits 16u – Team Conroy (North), Tennessee Mojo 2021 (South), Texas Glory 2024 (South Central) and E.C. Bullets California 2020 (West)- are now eligible for the NFCA’s National Coaching Staff of the Year award, to be announced on Oct. 4.

It marks the fourth straight year for the Tennessee Mojo organization and second overall for the 2021 squad (2017).

Additionally, a Conroy-led Bandits team is recognized for the second time in three years.

Regional Winners

East – Virginia Unity 18u

Co-Head Coaches: Josh Johnson, Jenny Parker
Posted an undefeated mark at Rock Gold Fall Powerball Invitational… Crowned Glory Fastpitch – Strikeout Cancer and USA Softball Atlantic Coast Elite Showcase Champions… Fourth-place showing at NFA National Championship… Finished 17^that the USA Softball JO Cup… One of the 18u players organized and ran a Hurricane Relief Drive to help those in need following Hurricane Florence that devastated the Carolinas… Nine of 11 players signed National Letters-of-Intent.

North – Beverly Bandits 16u – Team Conroy

Head Coach: Bill Conroy
Assistants: Rex Mack, Seth Holloway, Nick Carver, Casey Skeens
Compiled a 68-7-2 overall record… Crowned 2019 PGF 16u National Champion… Posted a 28-1 mark in elimination games… Captured first place at PGF Labor Day Tournament, King of the Hill, PGF Shootout and Demarini Invitational… Posted an 8-0 record at the Elite 1… Finished tied for fifth in final National NPS Rankings (US Club Rankings) for 16u.

South – Tennessee Mojo 2021

Head Coach: Brooks Cherry
Assistants: Wayne Key, Mark Sellers
Captured 2019 16u USA JO Cup, the eighth national title for the 2021 squad, with a triumph over the Williamsburg Starz… Finished tied for 10th in final National NPS Rankings (US Club Rankings) for 16u.

South Central – Texas Glory 2024

Head Coach: Lee Velazquez
Assistant: Trae Watkins
Collected titles at the Triple Crown Bomber Shootout, USSSA Easter One Day, USSSA Tournament of Champions and USSSA South National Championship… Put forth a fifth-place showing at the 12U PGF Nationals.

West – E.C Bullets California 2020

Head Coaches: A.J. Robinson, John Kubski
Assistants: Keith Carden, Erin DaSilva
Posted a 65-12-1 mark… Top of the field at the Fireworks NIT, PGF SoCal Invite, PGF Las Vegas Qualifier, Monster Mash and Triple Crown Players Classic… Finished tied for fifth at the Triple Crown/USA Nationals, tied for ninth at Boulder IDT 18u and tied for 13^that PGF Premier… Went undefeated at Surf City Las Vegas and Zoom into June… Team posted a 4.04 GPA.

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NFCA Travel Ball Coaching Staff of the Year award winners are voted on by fellow NFCA Travel Ball members within their respective regions. Only NFCA members are eligible for nomination and able to vote.