American · Meridian, USA · Born 26 April 1978American softball catcher who won two Olympic gold medals and one silver medal, widely considered one of the greatest catchers in softball history.
Stacey "Nuvey" Nuveman Deniz was born on 26 April 1978 in Los Angeles, California, and starred at UCLA from 1997 to 2002, playing catcher and helping the Bruins win the 1999 national championship. She still holds Pac-12 career records for batting average and slugging percentage, and set the program's career home run mark during her time in Westwood. Nuveman Deniz represented the United States at three Olympic Games, winning gold medals in 1996 and 2004 and a silver medal in 2000, establishing herself as one of the finest power-hitting catchers in the sport's history while also directing pitching staffs from behind the plate. After her playing career, Nuveman Deniz moved into coaching, serving as an assistant at the College of the Sequoias before joining San Diego State, where she became associate head coach and then head coach in 2022, leading the Aztecs to Mountain West regular-season and tournament titles and being named conference Coach of the Year. Nuveman Deniz was named the inaugural head coach of the Chicago Bandits for the 2025 season of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League, continuing to shape the next generation of the sport both at the collegiate level and in its newest professional format.
Olympic softball catcher and three-time Olympic medalist
How They Played
Defensive specialist known for strong arm and game management
Lasting Impact
One of the greatest catchers in softball history
Career Honours
- Olympic Gold 2000, 2004
- Olympic Silver 2008
- 1999 NCAA Champion (UCLA)
- NCAA record 653 total bases
| Team | Period | Games |
|---|---|---|
| Stratford Brakettes | 1997–2010 | — |
American Athletes