The National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) has announced that Heather Nicole Vaughn is the ‘2008 Diamond Sports Catcher of the Year'.

To be eligible for NFCA recognition, student-athletes must: be nominated by their Head Coach; maintain at least a 3.5 grade-point-average (GPA) for both the Fall 2007 and Spring 2008 semesters; maintain continual academic progress within their respective major; and maintain eligibility within their respective sports governance body.

Ricky Sanders, Emmanuel College (EC) Softball Head Coach, noted that the nomination process for Heather was one of the most enjoyable award processes he has ever completed.Heather maintained a 3.9 GPA for Fall 2007 and Spring 2008, and an impressive overall GPA of 3.24 within the EC Early Childhood Education program major. She started all 55 games for the EC Lady Lions and led the team with a .527 batting average. She earned 56 RBIs, crushed 19 homeruns, and slugged 18 doubles. She earned 49 walks and scored 52 runs.

Heather was recently named as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), and Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) 2008 Softball Player of the Year. She was also selected as a member of the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) South Region ‘All-Region Team". Heather is also nationally ranked in several hitting categories.

Heather resides in Royston, Georgia with her parents, Billy & Judy Vaughn.

Please visit the NFCA web site at http://nfca.org/ for a complete list of the 2008 NFCA All-American teams.

Please visit the Emmanuel College Athletics web site at http://www.ec.edu/athletics for a complete list of events and news releases.