LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is proud to announce the 25 finalists for the inaugural Schutt Sports/NFCA Division II National Player of the Year award.
This group of student-athletes is represented by 20 different programs and 11 conferences. Fourteen from the original Top-50 “Watchlist” made the cut and are joined by 11 newcomers to the fold. The field consists of 23 upperclassmen, including 14 seniors, along with eight juniors and three sophomores.
No. 1 Valdosta State boasts three selections, while No. 2 West Texas A&M, No. 8 North Georgia and No. 12 Augustana (S.D.) each had two student-athletes recognized. Programs with one representative were, No. 3 Missouri-St. Louis, No. 4 Dixie State, No. 5 Cal State Monterey Bay, No. 7 St. Mary’s (Texas), No. 10 Indianapolis, No. 13 Humboldt State, No. 15 Emporia State, No. 16 Southern Indiana, No. 23 Rollins, No. 24 Missouri Western, Bellarmine, Northwest Missouri State, Ashland, Cal State San Bernardino, Oklahoma Christian and Texas Woman’s.
The Great Lakes Valley Conference paced the way with four representatives. The California Collegiate Athletic Association, Lone Star Conference, Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) and Gulf South Conference each had three student-athletes. The Peach Belt Conference, Northern Sun and Heartland Conference posted two, while the PacWest, Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and Sunshine State Conference were also represented.
The Top 10 finalists will be announced on April 30 and the Top 3 on May 14 with the 2015 Division II National Player of the Year revealed on Wednesday, May 20.
Behind the collaboration between the NFCA and the Division II Head Coaches Committee, and the generosity of Schutt Sports, the award was created to honor the outstanding athletic achievement among softball student-athletes throughout Division II.
About the NFCA
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches for all competitive levels of play. Founded in the early 1980s by collegiate softball coaches, today the organization also includes high school coaches, travel ball/club coaches and individuals who support the sport. Founded by coaches for coaches, the Association is built on strong values and continually instills within its members a deep sense of responsibility for developing programs that enrich the lives of all those involved.
In addition, the Association provides educational training; encourages sportsmanship and high standards of competition; promotes the sport both nationally and internationally; identifies and pursues issues relevant to the fastpitch coaching profession and provides a forum to discuss those issues; honors excellence through awards programs for coaches and players, and keeps members informed of current coaching techniques, equipment innovations and fastpitch news.