Stefany Valentino (2011-14), UNLV Athletics Director of Compliance

If you would have told 18-year old Stefany Valentino that she would end up as a Las Vegas resident, she never would have believed you. The Southern California native, now UNLV's Director of Compliance, and former UNLV softball standout thought she'd come to UNLV, play her collegiate softball and return home or venture off somewhere else once her career was over. Seven years later, she's worked her way up in the compliance department and Vegas has become her home.

The three-time Mountain West All-Conference honoree and two-time All-Region award winner originally chose UNLV to stay close to family. "It was the perfect distance from home in Southern California," Valentino said."They were able to come watch a lot of my games. So it was a good distance for me to grow as a young adult away from my family, but still close enough for them to come watch me play and grow."

What she ended up finding here was even more family. "It was just a great family-oriented place - the coaches, my teammates and staff. Even going through a coaching change, with both staffs it really always felt like a family and we gelled so well. My experience here really helped shape me into the person I am today."

The experience also provided lessons and skills as she carved out a career in athletics post-playing career. "Athletics, especially being part of the UNLV softball program here, helped me to know what it means to be a team player and develop leadership skills along the way. It really helped to get me in the position where I am today. I often rely on my experiences as a student-athlete when I'm making decisions at work and even in my personal life."

Valentino also doesn't take for granted the unique opportunity to work where she played and become a part of the Las Vegas community.

"I've really grown to love Las Vegas and it's really my home now. I love that I get to be part of the athletic department that shaped me into the person I am today. It's a really fun and unique dynamic to get to watch the next generation of student-athletes and make an impact on them. We've really put a lot of new resources into our student-athletes and grown the student-athlete experience here, so that's great to be a part of. I look back and I'm so grateful for everything I experienced here and it's just so awesome to see the support for all the new initiatives we are developing for our student-athletes."

Valentino's name still dots the record books as she ranks fourth all-time in career batting average (.378), seventh all-time in hits (214) and walks (79), 12th in slugging percentage (.514) and third in on-base percentage (.450). She is also just one of five Rebels in program history to earn Mountain West All-Conference honors three or more times. Even with all the accolades, her favorite memory came by way of another former Rebel slugger Ashli Holland.

"My freshman year, I think it was the last game of the season. Our senior captain, Ashli, came up and I can't remember if the bases were loaded or what it was, but she hit a walk-off home run to win the game and it was so exciting. It was a really fun moment and that was definitely a top memory."

Valentino has that excitement for the current Rebels, who were off to a 21-5 start - tied for second-best in program history - before the pandemic brought things to a halt last spring. Working closely with the program in her current role, she's seen the team flourish under fourth-year head coach Kristie Fox and is looking forward to seeing what they can do with most of the team back from last year's shortened campaign.

"I'm really excited about this year, especially with last year's seniors getting a chance to come back and show their talents off one more time. With Jenny in the circle as the ace, it's been fun to watch her grow into that role and I know there is some great freshman that can make an impact too. It's going to be fun to see them play again and hopefully they can pick up where they left off."

The Rebels open the season Friday, February 12 at Eller Media Stadium. A full schedule will be available online soon.