BIRMINGHAM, Ala. | On Monday, November 17, the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame announced that Les Stuedeman has been selected induction for its Class of 2026.
Born March 31, 1969, Lorraine "Les" Stuedeman grew up in Vestavia Hills, where she was a standout multi-sport athlete. At Vestavia Hills High School, she earned letters in four sports and served as the starting point guard for the Rebels' 1987 6A Alabama State Championship girls' basketball team.
Stuedeman began her collegiate career at Samford University, lettering in both volleyball and softball and becoming the program's first-ever all-conference performer. She later transferred to Huntingdon College, where she played first base and catcher, earning All-District honors from 1990–92 and All-America recognition in 1992.
She began her coaching career as an assistant at the University of West Alabama while completing her master's degree, then moved to Hewitt-Trussville High School for the 1994–95 season. There she led the team to a 43–13 record and earned Jefferson County Coach of the Year.
In 1995, Stuedeman was hired to establish the softball program at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Across 30 seasons, she transformed an idea into one of NCAA Division II's elite programs, compiling a 1,268-431-1 career record without a single losing season. Under her leadership, UAH earned 26 NCAA Tournament berths, including 21 straight through 2024; claimed four South Region titles (1999, 2001, 2009, 2011); and finished as the NCAA Division II national runner-up in 2009 and 2011. Her staff 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 tournament titles, and posted the best all-time GSC tournament record (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 became the 34th coach in NCAA softball history to reach 1,000 wins (2017) and surpassed 1,200 victories by 2023. Throughout her tenure, her players earned 42 All-America honors.
Beyond coaching, Stuedeman served as UAH's Senior Woman Administrator (2010–14) and helped pioneer fastpitch softball growth in North Alabama, including organizing Huntsville's first 12U travel team.
Her distinguished career 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 announced her retirement following the 2025 season. She will join the 22 women and more than 400 inductees honored since 1969, cementing her legacy.
