WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue softball's founding head coach Carol Bruggeman is poised to join the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Hall of Fame as a member of the 2023 class.
Bruggeman built the Purdue program from the ground up after being hired in June of 1993, coaching through the 2005 season. For the past seven years, she has served as the executive director of the NFCA, during which time the Association has taken off.
Over her 12 years with the Boilermakers, Bruggeman accrued a 380-304-3 record, tallying at least 30 wins in nine of those seasons, including the last seven straight. The Charter Oak, Iowa native guided her team to three Big Ten tournament berths, including her final year with the Boilermakers in 2005.
Fostering a culture of excellence, Bruggeman also guided the program to 71 Academic All-Big Ten selections, as well as four CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
While with the NFCA, Bruggeman has helped to increase membership by 63%, sponsorship revenue has increased 433% percent, and events have increased in both the number offered and overall attendees during Bruggeman's tenure. In October 2022, the Association eclipsed 6,300 members, setting a new overall record.
Some other initiatives introduced during Bruggeman's tenure are a legal services benefit for members, Coaching Tools practice packages for Grass Roots members, membership milestone awards, a weekly educational podcast, quarterly webinars, a weekly tip/drill video, a year-round coach mentoring program, an NFCA digital calendar, an online softball scoring seminar, a job posting service, collegiate and high school Leadoff tournaments, an expanded coach and student-athlete awards program, increased scholarship opportunities, plus a grassroots pilot member program and joint membership initiatives with the NJCAA, California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association, and various state High School Associations.
She was recently recognized as one of Louisville Business First's 2022 Most Admired CEOs and honored during a reception and dinner at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. The award recognizes CEOs who are innovators, standard-bearers, role models and exceptional leaders. Their contributions impact the company they head as well as the community in which they serve. A commitment to financial success, quality, workplace wellness, diversity and philanthropy are hallmarks of an exceptional and admired chief executive.
Bruggeman's leadership was critical during COVID. While shepherding the Association through a challenging pandemic, she maintained a full-time staff and continued business relationships with all sponsors and partners. After dipping below 3,500 members during COVID, the Association set a record high for overall membership in October 2022 and currently stands at over 6,500. She also led the charge in bringing back and executing a thriving in-person annual Convention in December 2021 in Las Vegas with over 1,500 attendees and 138 companies in the Exhibit Show.
Before joining Purdue, Bruggeman played for Iowa where she earned All-Big Ten, All-Mideast Region and Academic All-America. She also spent time on the coaching staffs of Michigan and Louisville.
Bruggeman and the rest of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted next December.
Bruggeman built the Purdue program from the ground up after being hired in June of 1993, coaching through the 2005 season. For the past seven years, she has served as the executive director of the NFCA, during which time the Association has taken off.
Over her 12 years with the Boilermakers, Bruggeman accrued a 380-304-3 record, tallying at least 30 wins in nine of those seasons, including the last seven straight. The Charter Oak, Iowa native guided her team to three Big Ten tournament berths, including her final year with the Boilermakers in 2005.
Fostering a culture of excellence, Bruggeman also guided the program to 71 Academic All-Big Ten selections, as well as four CoSIDA Academic All-America accolades.
While with the NFCA, Bruggeman has helped to increase membership by 63%, sponsorship revenue has increased 433% percent, and events have increased in both the number offered and overall attendees during Bruggeman's tenure. In October 2022, the Association eclipsed 6,300 members, setting a new overall record.
Some other initiatives introduced during Bruggeman's tenure are a legal services benefit for members, Coaching Tools practice packages for Grass Roots members, membership milestone awards, a weekly educational podcast, quarterly webinars, a weekly tip/drill video, a year-round coach mentoring program, an NFCA digital calendar, an online softball scoring seminar, a job posting service, collegiate and high school Leadoff tournaments, an expanded coach and student-athlete awards program, increased scholarship opportunities, plus a grassroots pilot member program and joint membership initiatives with the NJCAA, California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association, and various state High School Associations.
She was recently recognized as one of Louisville Business First's 2022 Most Admired CEOs and honored during a reception and dinner at the Galt House Hotel in Louisville. The award recognizes CEOs who are innovators, standard-bearers, role models and exceptional leaders. Their contributions impact the company they head as well as the community in which they serve. A commitment to financial success, quality, workplace wellness, diversity and philanthropy are hallmarks of an exceptional and admired chief executive.
Bruggeman's leadership was critical during COVID. While shepherding the Association through a challenging pandemic, she maintained a full-time staff and continued business relationships with all sponsors and partners. After dipping below 3,500 members during COVID, the Association set a record high for overall membership in October 2022 and currently stands at over 6,500. She also led the charge in bringing back and executing a thriving in-person annual Convention in December 2021 in Las Vegas with over 1,500 attendees and 138 companies in the Exhibit Show.
Before joining Purdue, Bruggeman played for Iowa where she earned All-Big Ten, All-Mideast Region and Academic All-America. She also spent time on the coaching staffs of Michigan and Louisville.
Bruggeman and the rest of the 2023 Hall of Fame Class will be inducted next December.