Stacey Nuveman
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Stacey Annette "Nuvey" Nuveman (born 26 April 1978 in California) is a softball player at the catcher position. She is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and holds the NCAA Division I softball career record for most home runs with 91.
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[edit] Biography
Nuveman, who grew up in La Verne, began playing the sport of softball at age 10. She played travel ball for several teams, including Gordon's Panthers, where she helped the team win the ASA 18-under Gold National Championship. At St. Lucy High School, Nuveman propelled the Lady Regents to a CIF title. While at St. Lucy's, Nuveman lettered in softball, basketball, volleyball and also served as student body president.
Her excellence at St. Lucy's led to her receiving a softball scholarship at UCLA, where she helped the Bruins win a national title. During her tenure at UCLA, Nuveman walked away with several honors, including:
- NCAA career home run leader (91).
- NCAA leader in slugging percentage leader (.945)
- Four-time first-team All-American.
- Three-time Pac-10 player of the year.
- Today's Top VIII Award (Class of 2003)
Nuveman finished her college career with 91 home runs, .466 batting avg, and a 1.016 slugging percentage. As strong as her bat is, many in softball believe Nuveman's strongest suit is her play behind the plate as the catcher. Nuveman calls as good a game as any, scouting the opposing teams batters and working with her pitchers, a list which list includes Lisa Fernandez, Michelle Smith, Lori Harrigan, Christa Williams, Cat Osterman, Jennie Finch, Amanda Freed, Keira Goerl and Courtney Dale.
[edit] Olympic Career
Nuveman's Olympic debut came at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. At one point, Team USA faced elimination, but Nuveman hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning to defeat China in a crucial game. The Americans eventually went on to claim gold.
For the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Team USA dominated the competition to establish themselves as the best team in the world, seizing the gold medal. The American pitching staff gave up just one run during the entire Olympic Games, a run of dominance partially attributed to Nuveman's game-calling ability. This team was referred to afterward as the "Real Dream Team" on the cover of Sports Illustrated, a moniker that took a swipe at the disappointing American men's basketball team at the same Games.
[edit] Other
As much as Nuveman does on the field, it is her off-the-field endeavors which show her talents. Nuveman is an aspiring broadcaster, doing telecasts for ESPN, FOX Sports, and CSTV. Stacey has also worked broadcasts at her alma mater, UCLA.
Nuveman also works with several organizations, including the Visalia Miracle League, the Women's Sports Foundation, and the Make-a-Wish Foundation. She also gives clinics to coaches and players across the country.
After being married in 2003 to Mark Deniz, Nuveman has her sights on Beijing in 2008. She is backed by "Team Nuveman" which includes Mark, her parents Tom and Susan Nuveman, her brother Ryan, and Marty "Grammie" Gregory (and many others).
[edit] Trivia
- Nuveman's motto is "Dream Big."
- Nuveman wears the number 33.
- She swings a Worth Bat.
