The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) announced Friday that Virginia Glory founder and NFCA Hall of Famer Suzy Willemssen is the 2026 recipient of the NFCA’s Humanitarian Award.

Suzy is being recognized for her efforts in the fight against cancer and more than two decades of advocacy for equity in girls’ sports.

“There are coaches who win games, those who develop players, those who build programs, and then there are coaches who use the game as a platform to change lives,” said Kevin Bednoski her longtime assistant coach.

“For decades, Suzy Willemssen has done exactly that.

Under her leadership, Virginia Glory’s Strikeout Cancer Camp and Tournament has raised more than $750,000 for Children’s National Hospital and cancer research over the past nine years, starting as an idea to use softball for something larger than competition.

Now it has grown into one of the most meaningful charitable traditions in travel softball.

The monetary number is extraordinary, but it doesn’t tell the whole story as umpires reduce their pay to give back, college coaches donate their compensation, and field rental is discounted.

Everyone sacrifices something to maximize the philanthropy of the event.

“Thanks to the NFCA for their Strikeout Cancer initiative and acknowledging our Virginia Glory organization with this tremendous honor,” Coach Suzy told Line Drive Media shortly after the honor was announced.

“I’m so proud of our coaches and families. This is their award and the stories over the years of how our event has touched a life overwhelms me with emotion. My Glory families and coaches are the best!”

As those who known the life-changing coach—who was inducted last December into the NFCA Hall of Fame—would attest, she is quick to spread the credit around to all those she knows and works with.

“This award is a Virginia Glory award,” Suzy continued. “Our coaches and families embody our mission of “’Purpose. Driven. Softball.’”

“We feel we have a responsibility to use our platform for a bigger purpose,” the legendary coach continued, “and their energy and efforts make it all possible.”

“Words can’t express all they have done over the years and continue to do—the college coaches that work our Strikeout Cancer Camp and the athletes and teams that choose to participate in our event Strikeout Cancer Camp and tournament.”

“We are so grateful for the softball community’s support.”

Those who’s known and worked with Suzy over the years appreciate who she is and how much she’s done for the sport overall and the individuals in it, especially the young players she has developed.

“Having had the privilege of coaching alongside Suzy, I have seen something that no resume, list of awards, fundraising total or win-loss record can adequately capture,” Coach Bednoski adds.

“Helping people is simply Suzy’s default setting. Future generations will grow up believing their fields, their sport, and their dreams deserve the same investment as anyone else’s.”

The coaching legend’s advocacy has also helped secure more than $10 million in public investment to improve softball facilities in Fairfax County, Va.

During Willemssen’s time with the Glory, she has created opportunities and mentorship for hundreds of young women, while devoting decades to volunteer leadership and advocacy within her community.

“Suzy does not simply want to develop better softball players,” her assistant coach continues, “she wants to develop women who understand they have the ability and responsibility to make the world around them better.”

Behind the scenes, Willemssen has spent countless hours on the phone, on Zoom and via emails with players and coaches. Her messages to former players range from who needed encouragement on that day to teaching them to understand and carry forward the legacy of Title IX.

Part of that came during the 50^th anniversary of Title IX when Willemssen made its history part of their education. She wanted her players to understand that today’s opportunities did not simply appear. Someone fought for them.

“Few people embody that mission of this award more completely than Coach Suzy Willemssen,” emphasized Coach Bednoski.

“For Suzy, service is not an initiative, or something added to her coaching resume. Service is the foundation she has built her life in softball.”

Coach Suzy is also quick to give her assistant coach a lot of the credit for the org’s success is its endeavors off the field of play.

“Coach Kevin Bednoski has been a driving force behind our mission and this event,” she says.

“His incredible contributions can’t be measured. Kevin truly defines servant leadership.”

The NFCA’s Humanitarian Award recognizes a member coach who has selflessly dedicated time toward the long-term betterment of the community and/or engaged in charitable activities in the service of others.

Willemssen will be honored in front of her peers on Dec. 12 during the NFCA Awards Brunch at the 2026 NFCA Convention in Atlantic City, N.J.

Past Winners:

• 2025: Kathy Veroni, NFCA Hall of Fame (Western Illinois University, ret.)
• 2024: Beth Torina, Louisiana State University
• 2023: Dan Grantz, Lafayette High School (Ky.)
• 2022: Janae Shirley, East Texas Baptist University
• 2021: Kent Chambers, Bob Jones High School (Ala.)
• 2019: Joelle Della Volpe, Immaculate Conception High School (N.J.)
• 2018: Melissa McElain, University of San Diego 
• 2017: Mark Larriba, Flower Mound High School (Texas)

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) 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.