In the Dugout with Assistant Coach Vann Stuedeman
1/30/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Jan. 30, 2009
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - To say that Vann Stuedeman enjoys her time spent being an assistant coach for Patrick Murphy and the Crimson Tide does not fully justify the passion she has for her job. She absolutely loves her job and wants everyone to know it. Entering her ninth season as Alabama's pitching instructor, the Birmingham native is at home in Tuscaloosa, coaching for the school that she grew up cheering for and living out her dream job.
"I'm an Alabama girl through and through," said Stuedeman. "My parents both graduated from Alabama and I grew up coming to all the games. I am very thankful to be here and have a job that I love."
Born and raised an Alabama fan, she routinely tells people that she bleeds, not just crimson, but houndstooth and crimson instead. A self-described "ultimate fan," she feels lucky to have the opportunity to represent the school she's always loved. When Murphy extended the offer to join his staff in June of 2000, she made short work of the decision by accepting the job immediately.
"When Coach Murphy called and asked if I would be interested in the job," Stuedeman recalled, "I didn't ask what I would be paid or what I would be responsible for, I just said yes. I am there. I came to Tuscaloosa after that and here I am."
Although Stuedeman came to Alabama at a time when the school was fresh off a College World Series berth and had just moved into their new stadium, she does not lack in having a great appreciation for how far the program has come. Because Stuedeman was a fan before she ever was a coach, she has an even greater appreciation for what the fans mean to the team.
As a token of that appreciation, Stuedeman, Murphy, Associate Head Coach Alyson Habetz and members of the team recently paired up and hand delivered season tickets to fans in the Tuscaloosa/Northport communities.
"What the fans do for our girls helps them to be awesome," Stuedeman said. "It's totally cool when everyone is screaming after one of the girls makes a great play. You know the fans are into the game when a pitch is thrown is an obscure count that gets us ahead of the hitter and the fans get excited. They're not only great fans that show up, but they're also educated fans that know about the sport."
Not only is she thankful for the support from the Crimson Tide's fan base, but Stuedeman also stays driven by her colleagues. With decorated coaches scattered all along the hall where she has her office, motivation is easily found.
"I am surrounded by excellent people who have excellent, high expectations for their programs," Stuedeman said. "In turn, that makes me not want to be the black sheep of the hall. I want to be as good as or better than everyone else."
As a coach, Stuedeman fits in perfectly with a staff and a team that is viewed as family. Because unity is such an important factor that determines good team from great teams, Stuedeman feels like the perfect pieces are in place to achieve what she views as a goal, and more importantly, as her destiny.
"I am going to win a national championship at Alabama, it's my destiny," said Stuedeman, who happens to share her birthday with a coach that knows a thing or two about winning championships, Paul "Bear" Bryant. "We have a great situation here," Stuedeman added. "We all bring our own special talent and technique to the table and it works and feels great. I hope it never changes."
With such lofty aspirations, Stuedeman is not distracted by the talk of winning it all. She knows that winning a championship is no easy task, but also knows that focusing on the small tasks will lead to greater accomplishments.
"We have a great team with great student-athletes," Stuedeman said. "We have to take care of the little steps, the daily mundane things that some people might take for granted. We can't let that happen. If we take care of small things then the big stuff, the unspoken goal, will take care of itself."
