Mike Bidwell, Integrative Rehabilitation Services, College coach

Michael is the Head Athletic Trainer at East Catholic High School. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Sports Medicine from Keene State College in 1998, he is an NATA (National Athletic Trainers Association), Certified Athletic Trainer (1998). He went on to become an NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association) Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (2001). Michael has over 11 years of clinical / athletic training experience in the orthopedics/sports medicine setting. He is an Approved Clinical Instructor for The University of Connecticut Athletic Training Education Program. He was trained in 2000 as a Golf Fitness Specialist by Hank Johnson of Birmingham, AL. Michael has worked with athletes from junior high school to the professional level. He has a particular passion with sports performance for golf, tennis, and baseball. His special interests include golf, snow skiing, snowboarding, water skiing, and wakeboarding.

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Jennifer Hapanowicz - USA Elite Training

Jennifer Hapanowicz, owner and founder of USA Elite Training, , has been instructing youth softball players of all ages for the past 14 years in the New England region, including CT, NH, NY, NJ, ME, and RI. Jennifer was a highly recruited collegiate player herself. She attended the University of Rhode Island on a full athletic scholarship as a pitcher and first baseman. Jennifer has over fourteen years of experience in the softball training/recruiting industry. She has assisted in placing many of her clients in schools all over the US. Some of her significant highlights are: 1) 90% of her students go on to play at the collegiate level. 2) The Following CT Gatorade Player of the Year Award Winners are her students:2003 Rachel Foster, 2005 Kim Ovittore, 2007 Lauren Bespuda, 2008 Rachele Fico 3) Three out of four State Championship pitchers in 2003,2004, and 2005 were her students. Two out of four State Championship pitchers in 2006, 2007, & 2008. 4) The 2007 CIAC Player Of The Year: Jennifer Russell is her student. 5) Over the past 14 years she has coached numerous All-State, All Area, and All League players every year. 6) Jen has been a consultant to college softball programs including Wesleyan University and the University of Hartford, just to name a few.

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Ed Aston - Cheshire HS

Ed Aston began coaching at Cheshire High School in 1974. By the time he retired from the boys' team in 2005 he had amassed a record of 410 wins and 47 losses. They won 19 league championships, 18 State Division Championships (8 times runners up) and one State Open Championship (2 times runners up). From 1997 to 2003 they had a 75 consecutive dual-meet winning streak. Ed still coaches the girls' team at Cheshire. They currently hold the national record of 265 (and counting) consecutive dual-meet wins, a streak that dates back to their last loss in 1986. He has a record of 394 wins, 19 losses and 1 tie with the girls. They have won 29 league championships, 25 State Division Championships (5 times runners up) and13 State Open Championships (second 12 times). They have been NISCA National Dual Meet Champions 7 times. Other honors include innumerable coach of the year awards including the National High School Athletic Coaches Association National Coach of the Year in 2006. He has also been CISCA Coach of the Year 7 times. This award is voted on by his fellow coaches. He has coached over 100 high school All-Americans and more than 110 of Ed's swimmers have become team captains at the collegiate level. Ed's phenomenal record and many years of dedicated service to the sport put him in a class by himself. We are lucky to have him at the 2010 CHCSA All-Sports Clinic

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Gale Lackey (Wesleyan University)

Now in her 32nd year at Wesleyan, Gale Lackey will handle the volleyball Cardinals for a 25th term in 2009. Gale has compiled a 416-320 mark over her 24 seasons with the volleyball team. Gale joined the Wesleyan staff in 1978 after spending a year coaching volleyball at the University of Bridgeport. With 13 wins there, Gale has a lofty 429 victories in her career, which ranks among the national leaders in Division III. Prior to her stint at Bridgeport, Gale coached volleyball at Spring Grove (Pa.) High School for seven years. She is a 1970 graduate of West Chester (Pa.), and later earned her M. Ed. degree there. Named 2001 NESCAC Coach of the Year after guiding her squad to a best-ever 30-6 record, a first-place regular-season finish in the NESCAC with a 9-1 mark, and a first-ever invitation to the NCAA Division III tournament, Gale also took her 2000 squad to an ECAC North Region Division III title. In between, Gale arranged for her squad to take a memorable trip to Cuba during the winter break in January 2001. There her team competed against a Cuban junior national team. Her teams have posted nine winning seasons over the last 10 years with a collective 182-91 mark (a .667 winning percentage). Gale, who holds the rank of adjunct professor of physical education at the college, is the athletic department's senior woman administrator and was named an associate director of athletics in 2001. Gale has Stage 1 level international coaching certification from the FIVB.

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Diana Pepin - ECSU

Eighth-year head coach Diana Pepin directed her alma mater to a breakthrough season in 2008, the Warriors posting their highest win total in 14 years and returning to the NCAA Division III tournament for the first time during her tenure. Pepin is a 1992 graduate of Eastern Connecticut State University and a former four-year letterwinner in the softball program, which is the most successful intercollegiate fastpitch softball program in New England history. Last year, Pepin was named Little East Conference Coach-of-the-Year for the second time in three seasons after leading the Warriors to a share of their first LEC regular-season title and the No. 1 seed in the conference tournament. Picked to finish fourth in the LEC pre-season coaches'poll last spring, Eastern won a program-record 12 of 14 regular-season LEC games and swept defending conference and regional champion Rhode Island College on the final day of the regular season to earn a piece of the regular-season title. The sixth permanent head coach in the program's 32-year history, Pepin has a seven-year record of 142-129, averaging over 20 wins per season. Heading into 2009, she ranks second all-time at Eastern in games coached (271) and years coached and is third in wins. Under Pepin, each of the last three seasons have produced 20-win campaigns andan overall record of 70-49, including a regular-season conference mark of 31-11 (73.8 percent). Pepin was named the program's head coach in the spring of 2001 and in only her second full season, returned the Warriors to post-season play when they were named to the ECAC New England Division III tournament. In 2006, the Willimantic native was named LEC Coach-of-the-Year for the first time. That season, the Warriors shared the Little East Conference lead in regular-season wins (11) and earned the No. 2 LEC tournament seed despite being picked for fourth in the coaches' pre-season poll. Pepin was a four-year letterwinner and three-year starter as an infielder in the softball program between 1988 and 1991, helping the Warriors to four regional championships, the championship round of three national tournaments, and the 1990 NCAA Division III national championship. Pepin directs a series of fundamental, hitting and pitching clinics each February and March. In the summer of 2008, she served as hitting coach for the Lowell, MA-based New England Riptide in National Pro Fastpitch. This past January 10, she presented at the Mohegan Sun World Softball Coaches' Convention along with Olympic Gold medalists Cat Osterman and Jennie Finch and former UCLA head coach Sue Enquist

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Dr. Doug Williamson - NSCAA Coaching Education

Doug Williamson, a member of the NSCAA Academy staff since 1987, is the Association's Assistant Director of Coaching Education and Development. A member of the Association's Academy staff since 1987, Williamson was named to the Senior Academy Staff in 2005. His efforts for the NSCAA were recognized in 2006 when he was presented the Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education award. He joined the NSCAA National Office staff after serving two years as the director of education and training for the Greater Harford (Md.) Soccer Club. Williamson brings broad-ranging experience to his position, having coached both genders at the youth, high school and college levels. At the collegiate level he has compiled an overall coaching record of 309-147-16. He has guided teams to an overall record of 207-94-7, along the way earning NAIA and NCAA Division III national rankings. After stints as an assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan University, MIT and Kenyon College, Williamson embarked on his career as a head coach, leading the Curry College women's program to two NCAA Division III tournament appearances and a ranking as high as No. 5 in the nation with a 64-40-4 record in six seasons. From there he went to Wellesley College, reeling off three consecutive winning seasons and a 32-20-2 mark. He then established the Nebraska Wesleyan women's program in 1993 and put together another six consecutive winning seasons. The team earned NAIA top-25 rankings four times, including a high of 12th in the nation in 1998. That same year he also coached the NWU men's team to a 20-2 record, along the way claiming a conference championship and the program's first NAIA national ranking.

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Dan Gaspar - University of Hartford

Dan Gaspar Accomplished professional with 20 years of multi faceted soccer experiences. Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate, train and educate athletes and coaches at all levels Soccer Experience Connecticut Wolves Head A League and D3 Head Coach 2000 to 2002, Director of Player Personnel, Director of Community Relations, Administrative Aide to Chairman of the Board of Directors Soccer Coach USL Pro League, 2002 New England Cup Champions, 2002 D3 Semi Finalists, 2002 Winning Season in 10 year club history US Soccer Technical Consultant to Project 2010 Commissioned by the United States Soccer Federation. Responsible for developing a plan of organization, administration and execution of Project 2010 (Winning the World Cup in 2010) in connection with player identification and development, scouting, and competition analysis, as well as coaching education. Visit the US Soccer Federation Web Site for 120-page document. Central Connecticut State University Associate Head Men's Soccer Coach-1999 Major League Soccer, New York Metro Stars Assistant Coach Qualified for the MLS Playoffs, 1996, Tony Meola MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Portuguese First Division, Sporting Lisbon Goalkeeper Coach 1995 Winner of the Portuguese National Cup Portugal National Team Goalkeeper Coach Goalkeeper coach for the Portuguese National Teams (Men's and Women's, U18, U16) Invited to Train U18 US National Team, 1998, Major League Soccer Professional Evaluator, 1996, U17 US National Team, 1996, US Olympic Team, 1996, World Special Olympics Clinician, 1996 Gabon's National Team in preparation for the 1994 African Nations Cup, Women National Team Camp 1991 Author Started up, wrote and produced a nationally distributed Keeper's Line newsletter for soccer goalkeepers. Author of numerous soccer coaching articles that have been published in regional, national and international soccer newsletters and magazines. Author of Connecticut Soccer School educational CD Rom, Author of Star Goalkeeper Academy educational CD Rom. Soccer Achievements New England Hall of Fame 2002, University of Hartford Hall of Fame, 2002, Connecticut Soccer Association Hall of Fame, 2002, National High School Workshop Clinician, 2002, USSF National Staff, Connecticut High School Soccer Association Outstanding Contribution Award, 1991, Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association Outstanding Contribution, 1994 Playing Experience First Round American Soccer League draft choice, Former goalkeeper for the University of Hartford, All East Senior Bowl Goalkeeper

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Richard Collins- Simsbury HS

Rick Collins has coached track and field at Simsbury High School for the last 26 years, 21 years as the head girls' track and field coach. His overall record as head coach is 186-16, with 13 CCC conferences titles, three state class runner-up titles, five state class championships, and one state open championship. He was recognized as the Connecticut High School Coaches' Association Coach of the Year in 2010. He coached one year of track under his father, Dick Collins, from Andover, Massachusetts, prior to moving to Connecticut. Rick was a four year varsity letter winner at the University of Rhode Island under Bill Falk from 1978-1982, and his 4x100 and 4x400 relay teams earned All-New England honors in 1978, 1980, 1981, and 1982. Rick was the director of the Simsbury Rockets Youth Track Program from 1985-2006. He chaperoned the Connecticut contingent on many occasions to the Hershey Track and Field Championships, and was recognized as Outstanding Volunteer for Hershey Track and Field by the Connecticut Association of Parks and Recreation in 2006. Rick is the founder and director of the Connecticut Youth Sports Initiative. He teaches English at Henry James Middle School in Simsbury. He has been married to his wife Betsy for twenty glorious years, and has two children, Hannah, 16, and Sam, 13. He resides in Simsbury.

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Joel Dearing (Springfield College)

Joel Dearing will enter his 22nd season as head women's volleyball coach and associate professor of physical education at his alma mater in the fall of 2010. Dearing is regarded nationally as one of the sport's best coaches and he has the resume to prove it. During his tenure at Springfield College, Dearing's record sits at 564-191, a winning percentage of .747, and he ranks in the top-10 in Division III history with a 697-305 (.695) overall mark in 29 seasons as a women's volleyball coach. Championships and post-season competition are hallmarks of the Dearing era. Dearing experienced a stellar year in 2008 as the Pride captured the NEWMAC Championship and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. With a 32-5 record, Dearing was selected not only as the NEWMAC Coach of the Year but the New England Region Coach of the Year by the AVCA. In 2007, Dearing's coaching was put to the test as he returned just one starter from the previous season, yet still managed to guide the Pride to a 23-10 record. In the 2006 campaign, the Pride posted an impressive 27-8 record, advancing to the NEWMAC championship before losing to top-seeded Coast Guard. During the 2003 and 2004 seasons, SC won back-to-back NEWMAC titles. In both banner years, the Pride advanced to the New England Regional Championship. In 2003, the Pride rolled to a 34-3 record which included a school-record 21-match win streak. SC has enjoyed 37-straight winning seasons, including 18-straight with at least 20 wins under Coach Dearing. In three of the last nine seasons, his teams have captured at least 30 wins. In 2001, SC posted a 31-7 record, won its first NEWMAC regular-season championship and made its fourth-straight appearance in the conference tournament championship match. From 1993 to 1997, Dearing clubs went to five-straight NCAA Tournaments. The Pride won the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Championship in 1995 and 1996, advancing to the national quarterfinals both seasons. Springfield College reached the NCAA Division II Championship in 1993 and 1994, and was the Northeast-10 (NE-10) Conference Tournament champion in 1990, 1993, and 1994. In 1992, the Pride won the ECAC Division II Tournament. In the Spring of 2006, USA Volleyball, the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA), and Molten USA recognized Dearing with the Trailblazer Award for his role in establishing the Men's Invitational Volleyball Championship 11 years ago. Dearing was named the NEWMAC and AVCA Division III New England Region Coach of the Year in 2003, awards he also won in €˜96. He was named the NE-10 Coach of the Year in 1990, €˜93, and €˜94, and the AVCA Division II Northeast Region Coach of the Year in €˜94. Dearing also coached the Springfield College men's volleyball team from 1990 to 1996, compiling a 130-52 record. A USAVB Level III accredited coach, Dearing serves as a member of the Volleyball Hall of Fame board of directors and the U.S. Coaching Accreditation Program Cadre. He just completed his 24th summer directing the Dearing Volleyball School. He is also the author of a pair of books entitled Volleyball Fundamentals and The Untold Story of William G. Morgan, Inventor of Volleyball. Dearing earned a bachelor's degree in physical education at Springfield College in 1979 and a master's degree in physical education from Bridgewater State College in 1982.

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Al Lyman - Team Pursuit Fitness

Coach Al Lyman, CSCS, is the owner and founder of Pursuit Fitness LLC, a nationally recognized coaching company for endurance athletes. An author, columnist, and motivational speaker, he has been coaching athletes of all ability levels from novice to elite, since 1999. Coach Al is certified by USA Triathlon, USA Cycling, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association, and is a member of the American Swim Coaches Association. Coach Al's theories and beliefs about the best ways to train for endurance sports, developed through practical experience over 25 years as an athlete and researcher, have always been cutting-edge and often considered out of the box thinking. His approach to coaching revolves around a more holistic, balanced approach that includes Yoga, flexibility and mobility training, and smart functional strength training. Most importantly, he advocates a balanced approach that blends training and racing goals within the context of the triangle of life, which is family, work, and sport. This approach also led him to develop his now widely acclaimed running-specific functional and core training program, Runner-CORE, which is now being used by hundreds of runners and triathletes world wide with great success!

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Kim Gwydir - Gold Coast Hurricanes, Jennifer Hapanowicz - USA Elite Training

Kim Gwydir has an extensive coaching background. It starts with being the first female varsity baseball coach in the NY Catholic HS Baseball League in 1988 when she worked at St. Anthony's HS on Long Island. Coach Gwydir also was the founder and first 18 and under coach for the Long Island Chargers Junior Olympic softball organization and built it into the premier softball organization in the area. Kim was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame May, 2006 for her work with youth softball on Long Island. After guiding the LIU- CW Post softball team to a regional berth, Kim moved to Florida in 1998and started the softball program at Florida International University and became their first Head Coach. At FIU she amassed over 440 victories and achieved several NCAA top 25 rankings. Currently, Coach Gwydir works with the Gold Coast Hurricanes Junior Olympic 18 gold softball team who were the ASA Gold National Champions in 2008 after finishing 3rd in 2007. In addition, Kim is the pitching coach at 2008 State Champion American Heritage High School. Kim is also owner and lead instructor of "On The Rise Softball" a thriving softball instructional business in Broward County FL. In addition to her work with youth softball, Kim is a full time faculty member in the mathematics department at the University of Miami. Kim Gwydir's Collegiate Resume: L.I.U. - C.W. Post Campus, Brookville, New York, NCAA Division II Program Head Softball Coach, 1994 - 1997, NYCAC conference Coach of the Year 1997, NFCANortheast Region Coach of the Year 1997, Top Ten National Ranking 1997,·Conference mark of 19-0 in 1997 (first time in conference history), Named NFCA Team of Academic Excellence 1994-1995,·Team was featured in Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Newsday, New York Times, Cable TV's Newsport, Fastpitch World Magazine, News 12. Florida International University, Miami, Florida: Head Softball Coach 1997 - 2007, NCAA Division I program, Started program from scratch in fall of 1997, Amassed over 440 collegiate victories, First Top 25 National ranking 2001, Sunbelt Conference Coach of the Year 2003,·Runner up Sunbelt Conference Championship 2003 and 2006, NCAA Regional participant 2003, Trans America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 1998, Atalanta Award for best New Program 1998, Midwest Regional Ranking Committee 2004 - 2007, Featured speaker at FHSAA High School Coaches State Convention 2001 - 2007

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Dr. Doug Williamson - NSCAA Coaching Education

Doug Williamson, a member of the NSCAA Academy staff since 1987, is the Association's Assistant Director of Coaching Education and Development. A member of the Association's Academy staff since 1987, Williamson was named to the Senior Academy Staff in 2005. His efforts for the NSCAA were recognized in 2006 when he was presented the Mike Berticelli Excellence in Coaching Education award. He joined the NSCAA National Office staff after serving two years as the director of education and training for the Greater Harford (Md.) Soccer Club.Williamson brings broad-ranging experience to his position, having coached both genders at the youth, high school and college levels. At the collegiate level he has compiled an overall coaching record of 309-147-16. He has guided teams to an overall record of 207-94-7, along the way earning NAIA and NCAA Division III national rankings. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, he received his bachelor of arts degree from Rockford College in 1974. He also holds two master's degrees, one in theological studies from Harvard and another in divinity from Methodist Theological School, as well as a Ph.D. in philosophy from Boston University. After stints as an assistant coach at Ohio Wesleyan University, MIT and Kenyon College, Williamson embarked on his career as a head coach, leading the Curry College women's program to two NCAA Division III tournament appearances and a ranking as high as No. 5 in the nation with a 64-40-4 record in six seasons. From there he went to Wellesley College, reeling off three consecutive winning seasons and a 32-20-2 mark. He then established the Nebraska Wesleyan women's program in 1993 and put together another six consecutive winning seasons. The team earned NAIA top-25 rankings four times, including a high of 12th in the nation in 1998. That same year he also coached the NWU men's team to a 20-2 record, along the way claiming a conference championship and the program's first NAIA national ranking. From NWU, Williamson moved into the high school ranks, spending five years at Augusta Preparatory Day School. In five seasons with the boys' program and four with the girls', he led both programs to consecutive winning seasons for the first time while taking the girls to the Georgia Independent Schools Association's semifinals in 2003

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Jennifer Hapanowicz

Jennifer Hapanowicz, owner and founder of USA Elite Training, , has been instructing youth softball players of all ages for the past 14 years in the New England region, including CT, NH, NY, NJ, ME, and RI. Jennifer was a highly recruited collegiate player herself. She attended the University of Rhode Island on a full athletic scholarship as a pitcher and first baseman. Jennifer has over fourteen years of experience in the softball training/recruiting industry. She has assisted in placing many of her clients in schools all over the US. Some of her significant highlights are: 1) 90% of her students go on to play at the collegiate level. 2) The Following CT Gatorade Player of the Year Award Winners are her students:2003 Rachel Foster, 2005 Kim Ovittore, 2007 Lauren Bespuda, 2008 Rachele Fico 3) Three out of four State Championship pitchers in 2003,2004, and 2005 were her students. Two out of four State Championship pitchers in 2006, 2007, & 2008. 4) The 2007 CIAC Player Of The Year: Jennifer Russell is her student. 5) Over the past 14 years she has coached numerous All-State, All Area, and All League players every year. 6) Jen has been a consultant to college softball programs including Wesleyan University and the University of Hartford, just to name a few.

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Kenyon Clark, USTA High Performance Coach

Head Coach Florida International University (Women's Team)--Coach of the Year, 1992-93. Personal Coach of Barbara Potter, former top ten in the World player. USTA High Performance Coach, USTA Zonal Coach, USTA Sportsmanship Coach/Advisor, Head Pro: Washington Tennis Club and Litchfield Country Club. Coach of more than 20 nationally ranked juniors

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Ken Alrutz, Weslyan U.

Ken Alrutz is in his sixth year at Wesleyan in 2009-10. He came to Wesleyan after three years as the head men's and women's tennis coach at Miami University (Ohio)-Hamilton. Under Ken's tutelage, Wesleyan tennis was honored by the USTA New England as the Educational Association of the Year in 2007-08 and conducted a youth clinic during the Pilot Pen Tournament in New Haven in August, 2009. Concluding his third year at Miami-Hamilton in 2004 while also acting as a tennis professional at the Riverside Racquet Club in Hamilton, Ohio since 1999, Ken was the head men's tennis coach at Miami University (Ohio) in Oxford, Ohio from 1996 to 1999. He also is a nine-year veteran head tennis coach at Virginia Military Institute, handling that duty from 1987 through 1996. In addition to his coaching assignments, Ken taught English at both VMI and Miami. He received VMI's Distinguished Coaching Award in 1990 and its Distinguished Teaching Award in 1992. Miami's Associated Student Government presented him with an Honored Professor Award each year from 2000 through 2004. He also acted as academic advisor to VMI's scholarship athletes during the summer of his final four years there. During his 12-year Division I coaching tenure, Ken had a cumulative record of 167-92 with 12 straight winning campaigns. He led Miami to the Mid-American conference title in 1997, was named Mid-American Conference coach of the year in 1999 and was the Southern Conference coach of the year in 1992. Ken has coached Davis Cup players from Tunisia and the Bahamas as well as world-ranked junior players from various countries. A certified member of the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), Ken was the USPTA Mid-Atlantic collegiate coach of the year in 1995 and the USPTA Midwest collegiate coach of the year in 1999. At Miami-Hamilton, Ken won Ohio Regional Campus Conference Championships in both men's and women's play in 2002 and 2004. Ken has been on the Prince advisory staff for more than 20 years, an experience highlighted each year by conducting adult and junior clinics with such international tennis stars as Albert Costa, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Guillermo Coria and Xavier Malisse. The last five summers, Ken conducted the Total Tennis Camp at Wesleyan, a program geared for school-aged boys and girls.

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Bill Ball - CCSU

Under Coach Ball's guidance, the Central Connecticut State University swimming and diving team continued its reign at the top of the conference, as the Blue Devils won their second straight Northeast Conference Championship in 2009. The Blue Devils have won more individual events (55) and team relays (17) than any other Northeast Conference program. Ball's success with the Blue Devil program is reflected in the team's seven consecutive top-three finishes at the conference championship meet. This past season Ball led CCSU to its second NEC Championship in as many years, winning 16 out of 20 events at the conference meet. Nine Blue Devils received All-NEC honors, while Ball and diving coach Dave Maliar earned NEC Coach and Diving Coach of the Year honors, respectively. Ball led then freshman Alex Czaplicki to NEC Rookie of the Year accolades for her victories in the 200 IM, as well as 100 and 200 backstroke events. During the 2007-08 season the Blue Devils broke through the ranks of the conference and won the NEC Championship meet for the first time since 2001. Ball also led CCSU to its first ever ECAC Swimming and Diving Championship in 2008. In his sixth season, Ball coached Central Connecticut swimmers to six team records, four pool records and two freshman records. Four years ago, the Blue Devils emerged as one of the top teams in the Northeast Conference. With Ball's coaching, they set 27 pool records, 15 school records and five conference records. CCSU finished third in the NEC but were the top finisher among full-time members of the Northeast Conference. Jaime Crowley, then a junior, was named NEC Swimmer of the Year after placing first in the 100 breast, 50 free and 200 breast. Crowley also became the second Blue Devil to compete at the NCAA Championships. DiPlacido continued her dominance on the boards, winning the one-meter and three-meter events while earning NEC Diver of the Year for the second straight year. DiPlacido also became the first Blue Devil diver to compete at the NCAA Diving Regionals. Snyder, meanwhile, was named NEC Rookie of the Year after taking home first place in both the 100 and 200 backstroke events. Ball, who brought a wealth of experience from both the USA Swimming and NCAA levels to New Britain, is the director of the SoNoCo Swim Club. His club team has produced several top-16 national age group swimmers in addition to Junior National, Senior National, Olympic Trial and U.S. Open qualifiers and finalists, national team members and a national record holder. Most recently, Ball placed two swimmers on the U.S. Junior Pan-Pacific Team. Ball competed for Southern Connecticut State University, where he received his undergraduate degree. He later earned a Master's Degree in secondary education from the University of Bridgeport. While at Southern Connecticut, he captained the Owls (1987-88, 1988-89) to a pair of successful campaigns. He specialized in the breaststroke events and, at one time, held several pool records throughout New England. A two-time New England Champion and NCAA Qualifier, Ball was named an NCAA Division II All-American after finishing sixth at the 1987 NCAA Championships. In 1990, the Connecticut native opened the highly-successful and competitive Connecticut Swimming School, designed for high school swimmers. During its three years of operation, many students achieved national time standards and high school All-American status. The former elected member of the Connecticut Swimming Board of Directors and an American Swimming Coaches Association Level 4 certified coach, Ball has been selected to coach elite training camps at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, as well as in the state of Connecticut. A 1999 Enfield (CT) Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Ball and his wife, Karen, reside in Willington

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Kim Gwydir - Gold Coast Hurricanes

Kim Gwydir has an extensive coaching background. It starts with being the first female varsity baseball coach in the NY Catholic HS Baseball League in 1988 when she worked at St. Anthony's HS on Long Island. Coach Gwydir also was the founder and first 18 and under coach for the Long Island Chargers Junior Olympic softball organization and built it into the premier softball organization in the area. Kim was inducted into the Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame May, 2006 for her work with youth softball on Long Island. After guiding the LIU- CW Post softball team to a regional berth, Kim moved to Florida in 1998and started the softball program at Florida International University and became their first Head Coach. At FIU she amassed over 440 victories and achieved several NCAA top 25 rankings. Currently, Coach Gwydir works with the Gold Coast Hurricanes Junior Olympic 18 gold softball team who were the ASA Gold National Champions in 2008 after finishing 3rd in 2007. In addition, Kim is the pitching coach at 2008 State Champion American Heritage High School. Kim is also owner and lead instructor of "On The Rise Softball" a thriving softball instructional business in Broward County FL. In addition to her work with youth softball, Kim is a full time faculty member in the mathematics department at the University of Miami. Kim Gwydir's Collegiate Resume: L.I.U. - C.W. Post Campus, Brookville, New York, NCAA Division II Program Head Softball Coach, 1994 - 1997, NYCAC conference Coach of the Year 1997, NFCANortheast Region Coach of the Year 1997, Top Ten National Ranking 1997,·Conference mark of 19-0 in 1997 (first time in conference history), Named NFCA Team of Academic Excellence 1994-1995,·Team was featured in Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, Newsday, New York Times, Cable TV's Newsport, Fastpitch World Magazine, News 12. Florida International University, Miami, Florida: Head Softball Coach 1997 - 2007, NCAA Division I program, Started program from scratch in fall of 1997, Amassed over 440 collegiate victories, First Top 25 National ranking 2001, Sunbelt Conference Coach of the Year 2003,·Runner up Sunbelt Conference Championship 2003 and 2006, NCAA Regional participant 2003, Trans America Athletic Conference Coach of the Year 1998, Atalanta Award for best New Program 1998, Midwest Regional Ranking Committee 2004 - 2007, Featured speaker at FHSAA High School Coaches State Convention 2001 - 2007

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Jennifer Hapanowicz - USA Elite Training

Jennifer Hapanowicz, owner and founder of USA Elite Training, , has been instructing youth softball players of all ages for the past 14 years in the New England region, including CT, NH, NY, NJ, ME, and RI. Jennifer was a highly recruited collegiate player herself. She attended the University of Rhode Island on a full athletic scholarship as a pitcher and first baseman. Jennifer has over fourteen years of experience in the softball training/recruiting industry. She has assisted in placing many of her clients in schools all over the US. Some of her significant highlights are: 1) 90% of her students go on to play at the collegiate level. 2) The Following CT Gatorade Player of the Year Award Winners are her students:2003 Rachel Foster, 2005 Kim Ovittore, 2007 Lauren Bespuda, 2008 Rachele Fico 3) Three out of four State Championship pitchers in 2003,2004, and 2005 were her students. Two out of four State Championship pitchers in 2006, 2007, & 2008. 4) The 2007 CIAC Player Of The Year: Jennifer Russell is her student. 5) Over the past 14 years she has coached numerous All-State, All Area, and All League players every year. 6) Jen has been a consultant to college softball programs including Wesleyan University and the University of Hartford, just to name a few.

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