NWCA Convention Returning to Fort Lauderdale 

Manheim, PA – The National Wrestling Coaches Association’s Annual Convention presented by Cliff Keen, Defense Soap, and Resilite, will be back in Fort Lauderdale, FL but at a new location.  August 2-4 will see over 400 youth, scholastic, and collegiate coaches, as well as approximately 30 exhibitors, descend upon the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward Country Convention Center for the 2019 Convention.  Early Bird registration is currently available with reduced registration rates and automatic entry to win a 7-day trip for two on Carnival Cruise Line.  These features will end on July 15. 

The 2019 Convention will feature leaders in their fields from across the country, including several who are back for another year by popular demand.  A few highly anticipated speakers include Erin Sparrold, an expert in nutrition, Dr. Lee Dorpfeld a leader in mental health, and Dr. Roxanne Prichard, an expert in the field of sleep.  Collegiate men’s coaches will also get a chance to hear from NCAA Wrestling Secretary-Rules Editor, Chuck Barbee as the NCAA moves into the new 2-year rules cycle with changes and updated interpretations. 

Several new topics on this year’s agenda include Sam Craven talking about strength training, Pat Tocci sharing the ins and outs of Division RPI formula, girls wrestling with Joan Fulp, and 8x NAIA Championship Coach Nick Mitchell discussing weight management strategies. 

This year the Convention will feature a new aspect as the NWCA has teamed up with the National Wrestling Officials Association to host the Inaugural Officials Summit featuring the NCAA Coordinator of Officials, Tim Shiels.   

Preceding this year’s Convention (July 31 – Aug. 1) will be the 11th Annual Collegiate CEO Leadership Academy presented by the United States Marine Corps.  College men’s and women’s coaches will have the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with their assigned mentor coaches who are well respected, long-serving, and often times Hall of Fame members.  In addition to breakout sessions discussing the hot-button issues in the sport, attendees will have the opportunity to hear multiple keynote addresses focusing on leadership. 

High school coaches will have the opportunity to participate in the Scholastic CEO Leadership Academy on Friday, Aug. 2.  This is the second year that this program presented by the United States Marine Corps will be available during the convention.  Coaches will also have the chance to learn from the online video modules that accompany the academy at no cost.  

Leadership Academy Registration 

The Division III Coaches Hall of Fame Banquet has now joined the Convention as it was previously hosted the night before the NCAA Championships.  This year’s Class of 2019 including athletes John Gemmel (Ithaca College) and Tim Jacoutot (The College of New Jersey) and coaches Phil Grebinar (Worcester Polytechnic Institute), Leo Kocher (University of Chicago), Lonnie Morris (Johnson & Wales University), and Donny Wichmann (Augsburg University). will take place on Saturday evening in the Atlantic Ballroom on the property of the Hilton Ft. Lauderdale Marina. 

Division III Hall of Fame Release 

Last year’s Early Bird Registration drawing winner for the 7-day cruise was Drew Black, Wesleyan University Head Coach, who has this to say about his family’s trip “We swam in the brightest & clearest oceans, ate great meals every day, it was just a really enjoyable week on the water.” 

This year the NWCA looks to break attendance and exhibitor records for the fourth year in a row. There is still time for individuals and entire coaching staffs to register and attend. In addition to the two featured speakers, there are a total of over 20 hours of education time at the Convention, including coaching development presentations, technique sessions, panel discussions, and growing wrestling forums. Attendees can obtain CEU Credits from the United States Sports Academy. The Convention also features a trade show with over 30 of the leading companies in wrestling. For the full schedule, the complete list of presenters and how to register, please visit the NWCA website at the link below. 

WHAT: 2019 NWCA Convention sponsored by Cliff Keen, Defense Soap, and Resilite
WHEN: August 2-4, 2019
WHERE: Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Division 3 Hall of Fame Banquet Registration: http://www.nwcaonline.com/d3banquet
Full information & schedule: http://www.nwcaonline.com/news-events/events/nwca-convention-2019 

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