LOUISVILLE, Ky.  A large portion of the NFCA Convention program is dedicated to education, but another focal point is the recognition of coaching achievements both on and off the field.

Over the course of four days, coaches will be recognized for victory milestones, on the field achievements, off the field success, classroom excellence, community service and illustrious careers. There will be two new addition to this year’s plaudits as the Humanitarian Award and Diamond Kinetics Technology Scholarship will presented for the first time.

The 2017 National Convention is being held Dec. 6-9 at Bally’s Las Vegas.

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Highlighting the convention is the 2017 Hall of Fame Banquet. The 27^th induction features Ashland head coach Sheilah Gulas, former OC Batbusters coach Gary Haning, Carson-Newman head coach Vickie Kazee-Hollifield and retired Connecticut head coach Karen Mullins and will be enshrined on Dec. 8 in a ceremony held in Paris’ Champagne Ballroom. Haning and Mullins will be recognized as part of the Pioneer category which recognizes a member that has contributed above and beyond to the sport of fastpitch softball through service, leadership, coaching and/or participation.

The NFCA has been inducting members into its Hall of Fame since 1991 with the current total standing at 72. At the conclusion of the banquet, the Class of 2018 will be announced

At the Victory Club Luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 7, head and associate head coaches receive recognition for milestone victories obtained during the 2017 season. In 2017, honorees range from 100 to this year’s high mark of 1,600 wins. Be sure to attend so you can find out who earned monumental milestones, while enjoying lunch and conversation with your peers.

The Donna Newberry “Perseverance” and Humanitarian Award recipients, Indianapolis head coach Melissa Front and Mark Larriba, head coach at Flower Mound (Texas) High School, will be presented their awards at the Softball Summit presented by USA Softball on Friday, Dec. 8.

The Champions brunch on Saturday, Dec. 9 showcases coaching staffs that guided their teams to successful seasons, including national championships with regional and national awards. Along with entire staffs, individuals garner recognition in the Easton Assistant Coach of the Year category.

The Mary Nutter Scholarship recipients, Diversity Convention Grant honoree, top academic programs, sponsored by Easton, and leading StrikeOut Cancer fundraisers will also be recognized during the convention.