Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

Softball camp gives UNLV head start

Rebels, potential recruits get hands-on teaching during three-day clinic

By JEFF WOLLARD
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Winter commencement began at UNLV last week, but that didn't keep softball coach Lonni Alameda and her staff from putting in some productive hours.

Alameda invited some prestigious guests to Eller Media Stadium to assist in running the program's first Winter Advance Softball Camp. Several top coaches and players were on hand for the event, which attracted about 70 participants and offered three full-day clinics covering nearly every facet of the game.

While players worked on their skills, the Rebels coaching staff used the event to raise funds and evaluate potential recruits.

"It's our job as a Division I program to start from the top and get out there to the youth," Alameda said. "We want to help develop this area. This is our passion."

Alameda, in her second year heading the team, has expressed her desire to bring more local players into the program. Even so, she acknowledged that most participants would not become Rebels.

"Not every one of these kids is going to be able to play here," said Alameda, who has added three Las Vegas-area players to her roster this year. "But with us bringing all these coaches here, there are many places for people to play. Our mentality is not to hoard, but to develop kids into good, strong prospects."

Though some participants were local standouts, others came from as far as Florida to have an opportunity to work with instructors such as USA Olympian Jessica Mendoza. Mendoza, who taught outfield and hitting clinics Monday, played under Alameda and UNLV assistant coach Sara Pickering at Stanford from 1999 to 2002. She said she feels indebted to the Rebels coaches.

"Lonni and Sara helped me so much when I was at Stanford," said Mendoza, who attends more than 25 camps each year. "What they gave me, I couldn't return while I was there, so I just wanted to give a little back to them and the sport I love."

Other instructors included UNLV assistant coach Angel Santiago, North Carolina State coach Lisa Navas, Illinois-Chicago coach Tom Gray, Wright State assistant Jim Peterson, former Portland State/Oregon/Penn State coach Jason Baker, Canadian Olympian Kaila Holtz and Mark Doran of Diamond Sports Academy.

About 25 aspiring coaches also attended the camp, which included a series of intensive coaching workshops.

Participants said they thought the event was a worthwhile experience.

"It's an honor to be out here with these coaches," said UNLV freshman Marissa Nichols, who participated in drills and also instructed. "It's great to get to teach these younger kids what I'm being taught. When you actually teach something, it helps you tremendously."

Alameda vowed to turn the camp into an annual event.

"It's not real complicated," she said. "It's just a matter of being really organized. We just want to make sure it doesn't get too big because we want to be able to give everyone one-on-one attention."

Alameda will turn her attention to the spring season when school resumes. UNLV opens at home Feb. 4 against Marshall in the Alexis Resort Classic.