Q&A With Shelley Stevens
Thursday, March 17, 2005 | Softball
GatorZone: What brought you to the University of Florida?
Shelley Stevens: Everything! I love Gainesville even though people my age think it's way too small. I came from Baton Rouge, which is huge compared to Gainesville. I immediately fell in love with the "small town" feel and decided it would be totally alright to stay in town for college. Of course, I saw how great the academics were, but when I met the athletic family it was irresistible. Also, lots of my buddies from high school go here and I couldn't live without them.
GZ: When did you realize that you wanted to play softball at a collegiate level?
ShS: The first day I realized that there was a college level--young. It's always been such a fun game and the thought of getting to play it for a college team blew me away. I've worked to get to this level ever since I moved to Gainesville in 1996.
GZ: You earned all-state honors in four different positions, which was your favorite to play, and why?
ShS: Hmm… that's a tough one. My freshmen year I had a lot of fun catching for Stacey (twin sister) and getting to the state finals as the battery. As a catcher, you're always in the action of the game, but second base was always most comfortable for me. Being in the infield with Stacie P (Pestrak) at short was tons of fun--all the twins in the infield!
GZ: Did you play any other sports in high school besides softball?
ShS: Ha ha… that's a funny one. Sadly, I'm one sport oriented. Unlike most of my teammates, I can't spike a volleyball or shoot a basketball to save my life. Just ask Stacie P.--we played some basketball together before high school, and I got then hint--stick with softball. I wish I would have benn able to swim for high school though; I was pretty good at it.
GZ: Does your number, 00, have any significance to you?
ShS: I swear I was one of the first kids to wear that number! No, not really. I wanted the number 8 when I was young, but that was popular and I got the short end of the deal, so I turned 8 sideways and thought it'd be fun. I've had it ever since 8th grade. My mom hates it; she doesn't think it's a number!
GZ: What is your major and what do you plan on doing after college?
ShS: My major changes weekly, just ask Tony (Meacham), our academic advisor. I'm a pain in his neck. Our schedule makes it difficult to fit more than one tough course in a semester, but I'm working on it. I'm a science kid with the pre-med track. Right now it's chemistry and should be for the rest of my career here. That is if Organic Chemistry 2 doesn't scare me away from school all together. If all goes accordingly, I would like to go to medical school at UF. I haven't decided what to focus on once I get there, but it may be pediatrics or some form of specialization in DNA work.
GZ: You were Florida's stolen base leader with 18 in 23 attempts last year. Besides speed, what other qualities are necessary to successfully steal bases?
ShS: You have to be smart and aggressive at the same time. Everyone needs to see Kristen Butler run the bases; she's exactly how I try to be. She may not be the fastest, but she is sneaky and runs better than girls twice as fast as she is. You have to realize that it's not just how fast you are that determines how successful you are on the bases--the way you slide, the reads you make off the bat, your reaction time and your confidence all contribute to your outcome. I have a lot of fun on the bases and am still trying to get better every day. I ran a lot last year and definitely got more comfortable as the year progressed.
GZ: What was the highlight of your freshman season and why?
ShS: The California trip we took for spring break. Not only did we win all five games, but we proved that we can compete with the West Coast teams that are said to be head and shoulders better than we are. Lindsay Norfleet's first career home run was out there, amazing! Lacy Howard had one too. It was my first time to California, so everything from the scenery to the insane traffic at 9 p.m. was new to me. We also got to spend a day on the beach before we came home. Some of us chose Hermosa Beach, and it was incredible. The sailboats and pier made for some beautiful pictures. Others opted for Rodeo Drive and couldn't afford a thing!
GZ: What are some of your favorite places to go in Gainesville?
ShS: I'll narrow that question down to food places--since I love to eat. Jade Garden's Sushi Train is so good! The best part is it really is on a train. It goes around a track after you tell the guy what you want for that round. Those of you who don't like sushi, you need to try it! I hated the thought of eating raw fish until Missy Zick told me how much she loved it. Now I'm hooked. Other than eating, I like to go anywhere with some of the coolest kids ever--Matt, Allen and Jon. They are so fun and have been Stacey's and my support system ever since we got here.
GZ: What are some of your favorite professional sports teams?
ShS: Hands down the Atlanta Braves. They may choke in the post-season, but I'm still a huge fan. I should get to go to a fair amount of games this summer. I've followed the Philadelphia Eagles the past couple years, too. Even though I miss Duce Staley, I'm so excited they made it to in the Super Bowl. I like watching their entire team play.
GZ: What have you or the team done to improve this offseason?
ShS: What haven't we done!? We're a whole new, improved team, and I can say that honestly. Our conditioning is out of control! I really think that no team in the country conditions as hard as we do. We're all faster and stronger and more confident, thanks to Steve-O (Orris) our strength and conditioning coordinator. But even more than the physical improvements are the mental. Softball is very much mental; we worked as a team on the importance of all the communication and confidence and heart involved in softball. Our hitting is head and shoulders better than last year--all twenty of us can contribute in some form or another at the plate and that's huge. As far as personally, I'm in better shape all around. I was in shape last year, but I changed my eating habits and it made a world of difference. Also, offensively, I've worked really hard on keeping the ball on the ground. I'm a slapper, so my success comes from all types of groundballs. I can't be successful in the air, so I've reduced my pop ups and fly outs by at least half this year.
GZ: If you were stranded on a deserted island and could bring three things with you, what would they be and why?
ShS: First off, I wouldn't last very long on a deserted island. I'm pale, plain and simple. So, I would have to bring a lot of sunscreen. Also, I'm a hungry kid; I eat a ton. So unlimited food supply--is that possible? And, of course, I would have to bring a buddy. I have to talk to someone!
GZ: Who is your favorite musician right now, and what kind of music do you normally listen to?
ShS: I'm weird. I like everything. Favorite musician right now would have to be Usher or Rascal Flatts--two ends of the spectrum. I love country but am still into some rap and stuff. I can break into song on basically anything. For instance, on scooter rides together, LT (Laura Templeton) and I can keep a Judd's theme going for a while and Mary (Ratliff) and I can blurt out some of the most random lyrics ever. I could really listen to anything, except classical.
GZ: Do you have a favorite quote or motto that you share with your friends or team?
ShS: I don't have a personal motto that I use to inspire the team; I'm not the creative one, I leave that to Cameron. Our team lives by "Get It Done." Plain and simple, do your job. It sets an expectation for excellence and consistency, nothing less, and our team has worked so hard on those two aspects of our game.
