BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | On Monday, November 17, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame introduced that Les Stuedeman has been chosen induction for its Class of 2026.
Born March 31, 1969, Lorraine “Les” Stuedeman grew up in Vestavia Hills, the place she was a standout multi-sport athlete. At Vestavia Hills High School, she earned letters in 4 sports activities and served as the start line guard for the Rebels’ 1987 6A Alabama State Championship ladies’ basketball workforce.
Stuedeman started her collegiate profession at Samford University, lettering in each volleyball and softball and changing into this system’s first-ever all-conference performer. She later transferred to Huntingdon College, the place she performed first base and catcher, incomes All-District honors from 1990–92 and All-America recognition in 1992.
She started her teaching profession as an assistant on the University of West Alabama whereas finishing her grasp’s diploma, then moved to Hewitt-Trussville High School for the 1994–95 season. There she led the workforce to a 43–13 file and earned Jefferson County Coach of the Year.
In 1995, Stuedeman was employed to set up the softball program on the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Across 30 seasons, she reworked an concept into one of NCAA Division II’s elite applications, compiling a 1,268-431-1 profession file with no single shedding season. Under her management, UAH earned 26 NCAA Tournament berths, together with 21 straight by means of 2024; claimed 4 South Region titles (1999, 2001, 2009, 2011); and completed because the NCAA Division II nationwide runner-up in 2009 and 2011. Her workers earned six South Region Coaching Staff of the Year awards.
Dominant in the Gulf South Conference, the Chargers reached 14 GSC Championship Games, captured 9 match titles, and posted one of the best all-time GSC match file (79-38). Stuedeman is a 10-time GSC Coach of the Year and a two-time GSC Coach of the Decade (2010 and 2020). She grew to become the thirty fourth coach in NCAA softball historical past to attain 1,000 wins (2017) and surpassed 1,200 victories by 2023. Throughout her tenure, her gamers earned 42 All-America honors.
Beyond teaching, Stuedeman served as UAH’s Senior Woman Administrator (2010–14) and helped pioneer fastpitch softball development in North Alabama, together with organizing Huntsville’s first 12U journey workforce.
Her distinguished profession has earned her induction into the NFCA Hall of Fame (2014), the Vestavia Hills Sports Hall of Fame (2012), the Huntingdon Athletic Hall of Fame (2013), and the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame (2018).
Stuedeman introduced her retirement following the 2025 season. She will be a part of the 22 ladies and greater than 400 inductees honored since 1969, cementing her legacy.