Spotlight On Former Athlete: Stefni Lotief Softball 1987-90, Coaches 1995-97 & 2000-12

Stefni Lotief at a Glance

As a Player

UL’s first All-American, 1989, 1990

UL’s first Academic All-American, 1990

Career Pitching (UL rank):

Wins, 78 (4)

Innings Pitched, 747 (3)

Games Started, 104 (4)

Earned Run Average, 0.66 (2)

Shutouts, 55 (2)

No-Hitters, 6 (t4)

Walks Allowed, 60 (1)

As a Coach

601-145 as coach, co-head coach of Cajuns, 12 years

2003 team reached College World Series, ranked No. 6 in nation

2008 team reached College World Series, ranked No. 8 in nation

Each of her teams won at least 40 games, including 53-6 in 2012

11 Sun Belt Conference regular season titles

10 Sun Belt Conference tournament titles

7 times Sun Belt Coach of the Year

14 All-Americans

Stefni Lotief forever a part of UL softball history

By Bruce Brown

Written for Athletic Network

Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns finished the 2013 softball season where they always seem to be ‘“ in postseason NCAA Tournament competition ‘“ but for the first time since 2000 Stefni Lotief wasn’t in the dugout.

The school’s first All-American and Academic All-American as a pitcher from 1987-90 (as Stefni Whitton), Lotief relinquished her co-head coach’s duties in 2012 to focus on family.

She spent the last school year as Director of Advancement at Ascension Episcopal School, where daughter Chelsea and son Andrew are students, while husband Michael continued to guide the UL program.

‘œIt’s been a good opportunity for me,’ said Stefni, who also coached AES girls basketball and softball. ‘œIt has given me the chance to grow as a person, to do different things.

‘œMy daughter is 16 now, and my son is 12, and I felt I needed to be there for them. That was getting tough to do when we (the Cajuns) were on the road. I’ve had no official capacity with the (UL) team, but I also miss the competition.’

Lotief was one of the first breakout stars in the Cajun program founded by Yvette Girouard, a dominant pitcher in an era when pitchers ruled the ballpark and scores of 1-0 and 2-1 were common.

‘œI had a love of the sport,’ said Lotief, who was coached by her father Charles Whitton in the Houston area. ‘œI had the ability to be competitive, to go out and give my best effort every time I stepped on the field.

‘œAs I look around today, my dad was always very giving of his time. Fortunately for me, he was very competitive. He was all about excellence. I didn’t feel pressure. It helped me.

‘œI was that kid who would go early and stay late.’

Lotief earned a degree in marketing at UL, as well as a masters in business administration, but retained her interest in her sport by pioneering youth fastpitch softball with select teams in the area.

Then, when Girouard left for LSU in 2001, she was the logical choice to follow her mentor at the UL helm.

‘œI was assistant dean in the college of business when Yvette left,’ Lotief said. ‘œI had coached a lot (including an assistant’s role with Girouard), and I felt obligated to take the (UL) position.

‘œI guess I had always been around the game, and had coached a lot of players in our select program like Jill Robertson, who all turned out to be phenomenal young women. I had helped coach in college at UL and North Carolina, and I knew the nuances of the game.

‘œIt was how I grew up; it’s what I did.’

The encouragement of husband Michael helped make the move a smooth one. Then when he paired with Stefni in 2003, the program gained added momentum.

‘œIf not for my husband, I could not have done what I did,’ Stefni said of making the leap in 2001 into full-time college coaching. ‘œI was pregnant with Andrew when I took the job, and Michael’s support was crucial. Then when he started coaching, the offense got a lot better. He’s a real student of the game.’

Advancements in bat technology helped to fuel a different approach to the game than the pitcher-dominant days, although an Ashley Brignac or a Jordan Wallace can still shine.

‘œObviously, bat technology helped,’ Lotief said. ‘œCoaching and resources help. You also have the influence of baseball, where you’re not looking to score just one run.

‘œI’m amazed at what kids can do today. There have also been improvements in training, more sports-specific training that works on the core but also on the explosive elements you need.’

The Cajun program flourished under the Lotiefs’ guidance, with the ultimate prize ‘“ a WCWS crown – still the goal each year.

‘œIt’s a journey,’ Lotief said. ‘œYou work as hard as you can and try to be there at the end. That’s the ultimate goal, and the girls truly believe it’s possible. If not, why put in all that work?’

For many, one of the highlights of the 2013 season will always remain the day that Girouard was welcomed back to the fold after years of acrimony. It was a move that may signal long-overdue reunions of the program.

‘œIt makes all the difference in the world,’ Lotief said. ‘œWe’ve always said the program embraces everybody. I was pleased to see that.’

Lotief, who has enjoyed the year but remains open to new challenges in the future, was asked about her own legacy at UL.

‘œI hope I’ll be remembered as part of the family,’ she said.

That feeling was reinforced when she was named Outstanding Alumni of 2012 by the UL Alumni Association, a fitting flourish to years associated with the University.

‘œThat was one of my most proud moments,’ Lotief said. ‘œI’ve always tried to give back to the community. None of the things I’ve done professionally has meant more.’

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 1989 Softball Team

  

Stefni and Michael Lotief enjoy pregame festivities with their children while tailgating during the 2003 football season.

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Our rich athletic traditions were entrusted to the vision, hope, loyalty, and dedication of those former athletes and we will forever owe them a debt of sincere gratitude. May God bless each of them and their families.

Ed Dugas served as the initial feature writer and continued until Bruce Brown began writing in 2010.
June ‘“ Michael Langston Football 1973-77;
July ‘“ Hollis Conway Track & Field 1986-89;
August ‘“ Leigh Hennessy Gymnastics/Trampoline 1976-1980;
September – Dean Church Basketball (M) 1961-65;
October – Dr. David Fisher Football 1946-49 Track & Field 1947-50;
November – Kim Perrot Basketball (W) 1986-90;
December – John McDonnell Cross Country/Track & Field 1966-1969;

Peace, Ed Dugas

Ed Dugas, Research Coordinator
Louisiana’s Ragin’ Cajuns Athletic Network 
athleticnetwork@louisiana.edu 
(337)482-0999