University of Louisville Athletics
The Louisville Cardinals, more commonly referred to as the Cards, has 23 women's teams and 10 men's teams which are all a part of the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cards have been a part of the ACC just starting in 2014. The Cardinals have been know for their men's basketball team with three national championships and 10 Final Four appearances. Recently they have gained speed with their Volleyball team, women's basketball team and baseball team.
The Cardinals have an indoor basketball and volleyball arena downtown called the KFC Yum! Center which holds over 22,000 fans. There are other practice facilities and indoor gyms on campus but games are held downtown.
The Cardinals have an indoor basketball and volleyball arena downtown called the KFC Yum! Center which holds over 22,000 fans. There are other practice facilities and indoor gyms on campus but games are held downtown.
University of Louisville Athletic Association Mission Statement
Our mission is to support and counsel our student-athletes so they will maximize their potential at U of L and be successful in preparing for their future lives.
We will provide leadership for our student-athletes to inspire their achievement of the goals established in this mission statement. U of L's competitive athletics provide an outstanding leadership laboratory, and its high quality classroom instruction provides outstanding educational opportunities. It is our responsibility to assure that our student-athletes benefit from these educational and athletic experiences at U of L.
To help accomplish our mission, we provide superior services to our fans and donors, the primary financial resources that support our program. These services result in the best opportunities for our student-athletes to participate in well-supported, competitive programs that bring renewed spirit to our campus, our alumni, and the Louisville community.
We will provide leadership for our student-athletes to inspire their achievement of the goals established in this mission statement. U of L's competitive athletics provide an outstanding leadership laboratory, and its high quality classroom instruction provides outstanding educational opportunities. It is our responsibility to assure that our student-athletes benefit from these educational and athletic experiences at U of L.
To help accomplish our mission, we provide superior services to our fans and donors, the primary financial resources that support our program. These services result in the best opportunities for our student-athletes to participate in well-supported, competitive programs that bring renewed spirit to our campus, our alumni, and the Louisville community.
Patty Norton
Patty Dennison Norton is the University of Louisville Executive Director of Operations for Lacrosse and Field Hockey. She oversees scheduling, academics, facilities, travel, and interns. This is her 17th year on the Cardinals staff.
Norton is a former coach and in addition to her current administrative duties she served as the color commentator for U of L's televised volleyball matches. She was also an intregal part of the logistical efforts needed when the Cardinal's have hosted and traveled to attend large events. Some of these include when the Cards took a trip to Italy in 2005, 2001 International Tour to Germany, Austria, Italy and Russia.
Norton hails from Buffalo, NY and is a SUNY-Buffalo 1992 Grad majoring in sports and exercise science.
Norton is a former coach and in addition to her current administrative duties she served as the color commentator for U of L's televised volleyball matches. She was also an intregal part of the logistical efforts needed when the Cardinal's have hosted and traveled to attend large events. Some of these include when the Cards took a trip to Italy in 2005, 2001 International Tour to Germany, Austria, Italy and Russia.
Norton hails from Buffalo, NY and is a SUNY-Buffalo 1992 Grad majoring in sports and exercise science.
National Fastpitch Coaches Association
The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play.
Besides services offered to the membership, the NFCA works with USA Today in producing polls for NCAA Division I and high school softball. In addition, NCAA Division II and Division III polls are produced. The NFCA also conducts collegiate tournament competitions, as well as recruiting camps and tournaments throughout the nation. An annual NFCA National Convention is held every November or December.
Besides services offered to the membership, the NFCA works with USA Today in producing polls for NCAA Division I and high school softball. In addition, NCAA Division II and Division III polls are produced. The NFCA also conducts collegiate tournament competitions, as well as recruiting camps and tournaments throughout the nation. An annual NFCA National Convention is held every November or December.
NFCA Mission Statement
The purposes of this Association shall be:
- To stimulate the development of quality leadership for fastpitch softball programs, and to recognize professional contributions to the sport by:
- Keeping members informed of current coaching techniques and trends.
- Providing national and international educational training for fastpitch softball coaches.
- Encouraging, supporting, and providing guidance in the development and conduct of fastpitch softball programs whose purposes correlate with the general objectives of education.
- Instilling within coaches a deep sense of responsibility for developing and conducting programs that will enrich the lives of the participants.
- To encourage the playing of fastpitch softball in accordance with the highest traditions of competition.
- To foster national and international amateur fastpitch softball competition.
- To facilitate public and professional understanding and appreciation of the importance and value of the sport of fastpitch softball.
- To identify and pursue issues relevant to fastpitch softball coaches and to the sport of fastpitch softball; and to provide a forum for the discussion of matters of interest to members of the Association.
- To provide a channel of direct communication among fastpitch softball coaches at all educational levels.
- To maintain a membership group representative of all sections of the United States, and all levels of fastpitch softball competition.
- To organize the coaches as a group interested in formulating and promoting guiding principles, standards, and policies for conducting competitive fastpitch softball programs for girls and women; and to provide a united body for positive action relative to the sport of fastpitch softball.
- To promote cooperative efforts with other professional organizations similarly interested in the ultimate development of fastpitch softball programs and opportunities for fastpitch softball players.
- To promote cooperative efforts with other professional organizations interested in girls' and women's athletics (programs, coaches, and players).
Michelle Vasquez
After starting with the NFCA as its Office Manager in August 2012, Michelle Vasquez was named the Director of Events in January 2014.
Vasquez is responsible for Recruiting Camps, National Fastpitch Coaches College administration, Convention clinics, Camp and Clinic Committee, NJCAA liaison as well as serving as the tournament director for the NFCA Leadoff Classics.
A native of Claremont, Calif., Vasquez was a four-year letter-winner in softball from Louisville. She spent four seasons with the Cardinals and appeared on the Dean’s List during her career at the institution.
Vasquez earned a bachelor's in exercise science of sports and medicine as well as a master’s in sports administration from Louisville.
Vasquez is responsible for Recruiting Camps, National Fastpitch Coaches College administration, Convention clinics, Camp and Clinic Committee, NJCAA liaison as well as serving as the tournament director for the NFCA Leadoff Classics.
A native of Claremont, Calif., Vasquez was a four-year letter-winner in softball from Louisville. She spent four seasons with the Cardinals and appeared on the Dean’s List during her career at the institution.
Vasquez earned a bachelor's in exercise science of sports and medicine as well as a master’s in sports administration from Louisville.