Leah Campbell Named Wade J. Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship Recipient
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The NFCA is pleased to announce Leah Campbell as the first recipient of the new Wade J. Bruggeman Memorial Scholarship for High School Coaches.
Campbell, who is the head coach at Rockwall High School (Texas), will receive funding to attend the 2023 NFCA National Convention, Dec. 6-9 at the Kentucky International Convention Center in the NFCA’s hometown of Louisville. Included is a complimentary Convention registration, travel reimbursement up to $700 and up to four nights paid at the Convention host hotel.
Campbell, who also serves as a mathematics teacher at RHS, is heading into her third year as the Lady Jackets head coach. In her second year, the program faced adversity and challenges they were unprepared for, but through it all the team adapted and fought through with grace and grit. Faced with health issues, which started on the first day of practice, Campbell worked through trips to the ER, the hospital and doctor’s office and had her first surgery in March in the middle of district. Unfortunately, it was not a success and Campbell had to postpone major surgery until the summer.
Battling through with adversity, she steered her team to the regional quarterfinal. After a successful second surgery, Campbell is healthier and would love the opportunity to earn even more about how to be the best and most effective coach for her program.
“I have never had the opportunity to attend the National Convention, and as a third-year head coach and still new to this role, I feel it can continue to grow me as a head coach, learning from the best,” said Campbell. “I want to keep this program top notch, and attending would give me the opportunity to take what I learn back to my program and continue our success, even at a higher level than before. It would be an honor to go and an amazing opportunity for my personal growth as a coach!”
Wade J. Bruggeman, the late father of NFCA Executive Director Carol Bruggeman, spent his entire 38-year career as a high school teacher, coach, and principal in the state of Iowa. This scholarship provides a way to 'pay it forward' for high school coaches to assist with professional development. This scholarship, reviewed and voted on by the NFCA Awards Committee, is awarded to a high school member coach who combines a shared passion for education and coaching, while showing a commitment to youth education and growing the sport of softball.
Campbell will be recognized on Thursday, Dec. 7 during the Convention’s annual mentoring workshop.
Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA (National Fastpitch Coaches Association) is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its extensive awards and scholarships program, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from NFCA podcasts to a comprehensive drills database, to in-person events and a National Convention.
Learn more about the NFCA and consider joining our lineup of 6,500 coaches today!
