Breaking News: Lady Dukes Club Coach James Lamar on Life Support After Emergency Heart Surgery

Very concerning news in the softball world as James Lamar, the head of the Lady Dukes organization is on life support after undergoing emergency heart surgery last night.

Coach Lamar’s wife, Marissa Young–the Duke University head coach–issued a statement via Twitter this morning emphasizing the seriousness of the situation:

I am trying hard not to ask why or how this would happen to someone who gives & cares so much for others! James had emergency heart surgery last night & is on life support fighting for his life! We know that he is in God’s hands and pray for recovery! @ladydukes16u @DukesNat_14u pic.twitter.com/l0ol26j4yZ

— Marissa Young (@DukeCoachYoung) May 31, 2023

James and Marissa also have quite the athletic family of four–Braylon, Layla, Jolyna and Kayden–the oldest, Braylon being a football player at the Univ. of Miami and Jolyna and Kyden being top-ranked fastpitch players in their respective classes (2024 and 2025, respectively, and both ranked in the Top 5 of the Extra Elite 100).

Coach Lamar told Extra Inning Softball in April that he had been hospitalized with pneumonia but appeared to be recovered and back on the fields.

One source close to the family said within the hour:

“We’re all praying for our brother and his family. Such a great man we need prayers for James and his family. This is bigger than softball as he has become a part of our family the last three years and, right now, him and his family need the softball community to put their hands together in prayer.”

We will keep abreast of the situation and report updates as they become available.

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball