LAS VEGAS – The NFCA completed another record-breaking convention, concluding with the Champions Brunch, “Drills, Drills, Drills,” Chalk Talks and the final two speaker sessions.

The final day of convention convened at 9:00 a.m. with “Drills, Drills, Drills” as Chris Malveaux (hitting), Arizona’s Taryne Mowatt (pitching) and UConn’s Jen McIntyre (Defense) provided tips in their areas of expertise.

The brunch celebrated coaching achievements over a hearty breakfast. Ten member coaches were awarded the Easton/NFCA Assistant Coach of the Year, followed by the presentation of the regional and national coaching staffs of the year. Each national recipient’s head coach or staff member gave thanks and spoke in front of their peers.

Following brunch, Chalk Talks took place, giving attendees an opportunity to gain knowledge on four different topics in 30-minute sessions. Leading the way were Hofstra’s Larissa Anderson, Molloy’s Susan Cassidy-Lyke and NFCA legal counsel Samantha Ekstrand (Interviewing 101), NCAA Secretary-Rules editor Vickie Van Kleeck and Christie Cornwell, Coordinator of Umpires for SEC, A-Sun, ODAC and Sun Belt (How to Use the DP/Flex Rule to your Advantage), Texas’ Tripp Mackay (Increasing Power in your Swing) and UC Davis’ Erin Thorpe (Every Day Base Running Drills to Improve Run Production).

Rounding out convention schedule were UMSL’s Lauren Lappin with “Creating a Lockdown Defense” and Mike Stith of STC and OC Batbusters with “Non-Negotiables of Developing Young Hitters.”

We hope to see you in Chicago in 2018!