Dukes Coaches attend NFCA convention in Las Vegas

Earlier this month, members of our Lady Dukes coaching staff traveled to Las Vegas, NV for the 2025 NFCA Convention—one of the largest and most influential gatherings in fastpitch softball. Held December 10–13 at Caesars Forum, with Harrah’s Las Vegas as the host hotel, this year’s convention set a new attendance record with 2,025 coaches, including more than 750 first‑time attendees. The event also featured the biggest Exhibit Show in NFCA history, showcasing 200 companies, 321 booths, and over 800 vendors.

We’re proud to share that Program Director Mike Mihalek was officially honored during the event, receiving the Coaching Staff of the Year Award for his region—a tremendous recognition of his leadership, dedication, and impact on his High School athletes. Coach G was also in attendance, representing the Lady Dukes CT program on the national stage.

Coaching Staff of the Year

Coach Mike Receives Coaching Staff of the Year Award for his work as Head Coach at Avon High School.

Both coaches spent hours in sessions, workshops, and presentations led by some of the most respected minds in the sport. From player development and team culture to recruiting insights and cutting‑edge training methods, they immersed themselves in the latest knowledge the softball community has to offer.

Their commitment to continuous learning is a cornerstone of our program. They returned from the NFCA Convention energized, inspired, and ready to bring new ideas, strategies, and resources back to our Lady Dukes athletes.

We’re proud of our coaches, grateful for their dedication, and excited to see the positive impact this experience will have on our teams in the year ahead.