Stacey Nuveman-Deniz facts for kids
| Current position | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Title | Head coach | |||||||||||||||||||
| Team | San Diego State | |||||||||||||||||||
| Conference | MWC | |||||||||||||||||||
| Record | 78–33 (.703) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Biographical details | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | April 26, 1978 Los Angeles, California |
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| Alma mater | UCLA | |||||||||||||||||||
| Playing career | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1998–2002 | UCLA | |||||||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Catcher & Hitter | |||||||||||||||||||
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007–2008 | College of the Sequoias (Asst.) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2018 | Chicago Bandits | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2008–2012 | San Diego State (Asst.) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2013–2021 | San Diego State (Associate head coach) | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2022–present | San Diego State | |||||||||||||||||||
| Head coaching record | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Overall | 78–33 (.703) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Tournaments | NCAA: 6–4 (.600) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accomplishments and honors | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Championships | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MWC Conference Champions (2022) MWC Tournament Champions (2023) |
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| Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
| MWC Coach of the Year (2022) |
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Medal record
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Stacey "Nuvey" Nuveman-Deniz (born April 26, 1978) is a famous American softball coach and former player. She is currently the head coach for the San Diego State Aztecs softball team at San Diego State University (SDSU). Stacey played as a catcher for the UCLA Bruins from 1997 to 2002. During her time at UCLA, she helped her team win a national championship in 1999. She also won two gold medals and one silver medal with Team USA at the Olympics.
Stacey holds amazing records in the Pac-12 for her hitting skills. She also holds NCAA records for total bases and intentional walks. She is one of only nine NCAA players to have a career batting average of .400 or higher. She also had over 200 RBIs, 50 home runs, and an .800 slugging percentage. She was even named the #4 Greatest College Softball Player ever! Stacey Nuveman-Deniz is also honored in the USA Softball Hall of Fame. She has worked with big sports companies like Nike, ESPN, and Schutt.
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Early Life and High School Softball
Stacey Nuveman-Deniz grew up in Southern California. She started playing softball when she was 10 years old. She played for several travel teams, including Gordon's Panthers. With this team, she helped win the ASA 18-under Gold National Championship.
At St. Lucy's Priory High School, Stacey led her team, the Lady Regents, to a CIF title. She was a star athlete, earning letters in softball, basketball, and volleyball. She was also the student body president! Her excellent skills in high school earned her a softball scholarship to UCLA.
Playing for the UCLA Bruins
Freshman Year: 1997
Stacey Nuveman-Deniz started her college career with many honors. She was named a National Fastpitch Coaches Association First Team All-American. She also earned First Team honors and "Newcomer of The Year" awards in the Pac-10 Conference. She quickly set new school records for home runs and RBIs. She also ranked third in batting average and hits for a freshman. After the season, she was named Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
Stacey had an impressive 28-game hitting streak, which was a school record at the time. The Bruins made it to the Women's College World Series. Stacey was named to the All-Tournament Team.
Sophomore Year: 1999
After taking a year off in 1998, Stacey came back strong in 1999. She was named Pac-10 Player of the Year and NFCA Catcher of the Year. Stacey led the Bruins with new school records for home runs, RBIs, walks, and slugging percentage. Her home run and RBI totals were the best in the NCAA that year. They are still top-10 records for a single season. Her batting average was also one of the best in UCLA history. She was only the second player in conference history to win the "Triple Crown." This means she had the best batting average, RBIs, and home run totals.
On February 19, Stacey had a career-high 5 hits and 5 RBIs in one game. The next day, she had 6 RBIs, which was another career best. She also tied an NCAA record with 5 more hits in a row. Later that month, she was named "National Player of The Week."
On May 22, Stacey hit her 50th career home run. She was the first player to reach this milestone in just two seasons. At the Women's College World Series, Stacey hit a game-winning double. This sent top-seeded UCLA to the finals against the Washington Huskies. On May 31, Stacey and her team became national champions, winning 3–2.
Junior Year: 2001
After playing for the 2000 Olympic team, Stacey returned to UCLA. She earned her third First Team All-American award. She also received her second Pac-10 Player of the Year and Diamond Sports NFCA Catcher of the Year honors. She broke her own record for walks with 69. She also set a new NCAA record for intentional walks with 28. Her home run and RBI totals were the second highest in UCLA history.
Stacey made her third appearance in the Women's College World Series championship on May 28. However, her team lost to the Arizona Wildcats.
Senior Year: 2002
In her final year, Stacey earned more honors. She was named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year. She also won her third conference Player of The Year award. Stacey set new UCLA Bruins season records for batting average (.529) and walks (77). Her batting average was the best in the NCAA that year. Her hits, RBIs, and home run totals were all top-10 records at UCLA. She also held school records for slugging and on-base percentage.
On February 23, Stacey got her 200th career RBI. On April 29, she was named "Player of The Week" for hitting over .650. On May 4, she hit her 86th career home run, setting a new record. Two days later, she earned a third "Player of The Week" award. Even though her team was eliminated earlier than usual, Stacey was named to the WCWS All-Tournament team again.
Stacey finished her college career holding many school records. These included batting average, RBIs, home runs, hits, doubles, and walks. She also held records for slugging and on-base percentage. She still holds Pac-12 career records for batting average, intentional walks, and slugging. Her career batting average ranks sixth all-time. Her total bases and intentional walks are still NCAA records. She also ranks in the top-5 for RBIs, home runs, and walks.
Olympic Softball Career
Stacey Nuveman-Deniz made her Olympic debut at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. She helped Team USA win the gold medal. In a key game against China, she hit a three-run home run in the 10th inning to win. This helped Team USA get a chance to play for a medal. In the gold medal game against previously undefeated Japan, Stacey got the only hit to tie the game. She then scored the winning run in the 8th inning for a 2–1 victory.
For the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Team USA was amazing. They dominated the competition and won the gold medal. Stacey had two hits in the gold medal game, including a solo home run. This helped Team USA win 5–1. She also hit a three-run home run against Australia in an earlier game. Overall, Stacey hit .312 with two home runs and 5 RBIs. The American pitchers only gave up one run during the entire Olympics. Many people said this was partly because Stacey was so good at calling the game as catcher. This team was even called the "Real Dream Team" by Sports Illustrated.
In 2008, Stacey played in the Beijing Olympics. Team USA was defeated by Japan in the gold medal game. Stacey and her team took home the silver medal.
Coaching Career
In 2007, Stacey Nuveman-Deniz started her coaching career. She worked as an assistant head coach at College of the Sequoias. After the Olympics, she moved her family to join the San Diego State Aztecs softball program. She became an Assistant Head Coach in 2011. That same year, Stacey was chosen as an Assistant Coach for Team USA. With Team USA, she helped them win the World Cup and Pan American Games titles.
In 2018, Stacey became the Head Coach for the Chicago Bandits. This team is part of the National Pro Fastpitch league. In her first year, her team set records and played in the championship game.
On May 27, 2020, Stacey Nuveman-Deniz was named the future head coach for San Diego State. She officially became the head coach on June 8, 2021.
Personal Life
Stacey Nuveman-Deniz is known for her strong hitting. But many in softball believe her best skill is her play as a catcher. She is excellent at planning games, studying opposing batters, and working with her pitchers. Some of the famous pitchers she has worked with include Lisa Fernandez and Jennie Finch.
Stacey also has many talents off the field. She is an aspiring broadcaster and has done telecasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, and CSTV. She has also worked broadcasts for her alma mater, UCLA, and the Women's College World Series.
Stacey works with several organizations, including the Visalia Miracle League, the Women's Sports Foundation, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. She also teaches clinics to coaches and players across the country.
Stacey married Attorney Mark Deniz in 2003. They have two sons, Chase and Dylan.
Stacey Nuveman-Deniz played one professional season with the Arizona Heat. She had the third best batting average and was named to the NPF All-Stars. She later played on the PFX Tour. Stacey received her master's degree in Kinesiology in 2013. She has made videos, co-authored books, and has been a key figure in softball for over 20 years.
Athletic Accomplishments
- 4-time First Team All-American
- Three-time Pac-10 Player of The Year
- 2002 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year
- .466 batting average (6th all-time in NCAA)
- 299 RBIs (5th all-time in NCAA)
- 90 home runs (3rd all-time in NCAA)
- .945% slugging percentage (2nd all-time in NCAA)
- 240 walks (3rd all-time in NCAA)
- 81 intentional walks (1st all-time in NCAA)
- 653 total bases (1st all-time in NCAA)
- Today's Top VIII Award (Class of 2003)
Stacey Nuveman was voted into the UCLA Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
Trivia
- Nuveman's motto is "Dream Big."
- Nuveman wears the number 33.
Images for kids
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Stacey Nuveman coaching at San Diego State University.
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Stacey Nuveman-Deniz coaching the Chicago Bandits in 2018.
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Stacey Nuveman-Deniz with her family.
See also
- NCAA Division I softball career .400 batting average list
- NCAA Division I softball career 200 RBIs list
- NCAA Division I softball career 50 home runs list
