When you think of ESPN’s popular SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt, you might not know much about the woman who has been by his side for over two decades – his wife, Stephanie Van Pelt. While Scott is the famous face on TV, Stephanie has been a steady presence supporting him behind the scenes.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at who Stephanie Van Pelt is, her background, their marriage and family life, and the role she plays in Scott’s successful career.
Who Is Stephanie Van Pelt?
Stephanie Van Pelt, née Stephanie Theis, was born on October 22, 1970 in Brookeville, Maryland. She’s currently 52 years old. Stephanie attended Sherwood High School in Sandy Spring, Maryland before going on to study at the University of Maryland, College Park.
It was there as a student in the early 1990s that she first met her future husband Scott Van Pelt, who was working as a sports reporter and anchor for WTTG-TV in Washington D.C. at the time.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Brookeville, Stephanie enjoyed an active childhood. She participated in sports and her local community from a young age. Stephanie was a talented athlete herself, competing in track and field events, particularly middle distance races like the 800m and 1500m, throughout high school. Her athletic background would later help her relate to and support Scott’s career focused on sports broadcasting.
After graduating high school, Stephanie enrolled at the University of Maryland to pursue higher education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology in 1992. It was during her time as a student at UMD that she first crossed paths with Scott Van Pelt, who had already begun establishing himself as a young sportscaster in the D.C. area. Their relationship blossomed from there.
Marriage To Scott Van Pelt
After dating for a few years, Stephanie Theis and Scott Van Pelt got engaged. The couple tied the knot on October 22, 1994 in a lovely wedding ceremony surrounded by family and friends. At the time, Scott was 28 and had just made the move from local D.C. sports reporting to the national stage at the Golf Channel. Stephanie was 24 and working as a physical therapist.
As Scott’s career took off, Stephanie was a constant source of support. She understood the demands of his job, which involved a lot of travel and long hours. Stephanie held down the fort at home as Scott’s profile rose in the sports media world. When he landed the coveted SportsCenter hosting gig at ESPN in the early 2000s, she and their young family made the move to Connecticut to be together, even as Scott’s workload increased.
Over the years, Stephanie and Scott’s commitment to their marriage has never wavered. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in 2019. In interviews, Scott regularly credits his wife for being his rock and for always keeping him grounded despite his celebrity status. Stephanie remains Scott’s biggest cheerleader.
Family and Children
A few years after getting married, Stephanie and Scott Van Pelt started a family together. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Lila Catherine, in 2002. A few years later in 2005, Stephanie gave birth to their son Sam. The Van Pelts treasured family time together when Scott wasn’t traveling for work.
Raising Lila and Sam in Connecticut, Stephanie was a hands-on mom. She was actively involved in her kids’ lives, shuttling them to school and extracurricular activities. Family came first. Even as Scott’s career reached new heights at ESPN, Stephanie made sure he was present for important milestones and events in their children’s lives.
Now that Lila and Sam are grown, family remains the top priority for Stephanie and Scott. Lila graduated from Stanford University in 2022 and lives in California. Sam followed in his dad’s footsteps to the University of Maryland. The Van Pelts’ close-knit family bond is evident whenever they’re together, especially when Stephanie and the kids visit Scott on the SportsCenter set.
Her Personal Life
Outside of her roles as a devoted wife and mother, Stephanie Van Pelt leads a relatively private life away from the spotlight. Unlike her famous husband, she doesn’t maintain a public persona or share much about her personal life. Stephanie doesn’t have public social media profiles. The Van Pelts keep their family life out of the public eye as much as possible.
From what is known, it seems Stephanie enjoys staying active and traveling with her family in her free time. She’s been spotted attending sporting events and golf outings with Scott over the years. Stephanie is also involved in charitable causes the Van Pelts support, such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. By all accounts, she is content playing a behind-the-scenes role and letting Scott shine in front of the camera.
What Does Stephanie Van Pelt Do For A Living?
Stephanie Van Pelt’s current occupation is unknown. Earlier in their marriage, she worked as a physical therapist after earning her kinesiology degree from the University of Maryland. However, it’s unclear if she still practices in that field today. Stephanie’s primary job for many years has been taking care of their household and children so that Scott could pursue his demanding television career.
Current Life
Now in their early 50s, Stephanie and Scott Van Pelt are empty nesters with both kids in college. Scott is still going strong as one of the most recognizable faces at ESPN. The Van Pelts split their time between Connecticut and Maryland these days. Scott frequently commutes between the two states for work.
When they’re not working, Stephanie and Scott enjoy quiet time together at home, playing golf, and visiting their kids. They continue supporting each other and maintaining a strong partnership after all these years. The Van Pelts prefer staying out of the limelight and keeping their personal lives private when the cameras aren’t rolling.
Final Words
Stephanie Van Pelt may not be a household name like her famous sportscaster husband Scott, but she’s been an integral part of his success and their family behind the scenes. For over 25 years, she’s been Scott’s constant companion and biggest supporter through all the ups and downs of his career. Stephanie’s steady presence at home allowed Scott to reach the heights he has at ESPN.
While little is known about Stephanie beyond her role as Scott’s wife and the mother of their two children, it’s clear that family means everything to the Van Pelts. Stephanie and Scott have built a loving, enduring marriage and tight-knit family bond over the decades. As Scott continues to be a fixture on SportsCenter, Stephanie will no doubt remain his rock, even if she prefers staying out of the spotlight herself.