New Les Stuedeman Field at UAH honors university's legendary softball head coach

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (FEB 9, 2026) – Founding head coach of Charger softball Les Stuedeman built the program at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) from its beginnings in 1996 into a perennial Gulf South Conference (GSC) powerhouse before retiring in 2025. Now, UAH is recognizing Stuedeman's legacy by naming the UAH softball field in her honor.

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved the resolution naming Les Stuedeman Field during its Feb. 6 meeting at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). UAH and UAB are part of The UA System.

"What an honor and privilege it is for us to be able to name the field after Les," said UAH Director of Athletics Dr. Cade Smith. "Nothing could be more fitting for someone who poured her heart and soul into building this program and facility from scratch. I am so, so proud that every Charger who plays softball at UAH will now play on Les Stuedeman Field. She is a legend and could not be more deserving!"

Anyone who knows Stuedeman – or has watched her in action with her teams – understands that she has a deep passion for the sport and for bringing out the best in her players.

"I loved every second of being a Charger on the field," she said. "I love and believe in The University of Alabama in Huntsville, our students and this community. To have my name become part of this campus and its history is more than I ever imagined. I am deeply grateful and honored."

With characteristic flair, she added, "If loving the Chargers is wrong, I don't want to be right!"

Stuedeman's friends and former colleagues at UAH Athletics are planning a celebration of the naming later this semester, Smith said. Details will be announced later.

When Smith calls Stuedeman a legend, he has the numbers to back it up:

Thirteen GSC championships: 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and 2023

Twenty-six appearances in the NCAA tournament: 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024

Four NCAA Regional Championships: 1999, 2001, 2009 and 2011

Along the way, Stuedeman coached 34 All-Americans and was named GSC Coach of the Year 10 times (1996, 2001, 2002, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2017). She was voted GSC Coach of the Decade in 2010 and 2020.

Before Stuedeman left an indelible mark on UAH, she excelled in softball, volleyball and basketball at Vestavia Hills High School under the leadership of the legendary Fran Braasch. Stuedeman was an all-conference softball player at Samford University and an All-American softball player at Huntingdon College.

After graduation, she became the head softball coach at Hewitt-Trussville High School, led her team to a 43-13 record, and was named the Jefferson County Coach of the Year. Then she started UAH's softball program and was the only UAH softball coach until her retirement.

Stuedeman's athletic and coaching achievements have been recognized by induction into the Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame (2012), the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Hall of Fame (2014), the Madison County Sports Hall of Fame (2018) and Women Who Shape the State of Alabama (2019). She is also a member of the 2026 class of the State of Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

And with Les Stuedeman Field, her name and her fame will continue to inspire Chargers softball players to reach for excellence.