RANKINGS
EVENTS
I COMMITTED
COLLEGE
ABOUT
Outstanding news in the softball world today as James Lamar, the head of the Lady Dukes travel ball organization and husband to Duke University’s Marissa Young, was pulled out of sedation earlier today and is off the ventilator he’s been on since suffering a heart attack on May 27.
The club coach subsequently went through several surgical procedures including the insertion of a stint, but was kept on sedation pending an improvement that would allow him to be brought back to consciousness.
That significant step was taken Thursday morning to the surprise and delight of his family.
Coach Young told Extra Inning Softball this afternoon via text:
“Doctors had no plans of changing his status today,” Marissa began, “but the good Lord and the strong will of James had other plans.”
“James was suddenly stable enough to be lifted from sedation and off the ventilator. Finally, being able to communicate with him is a big step in his recovery and a tremendous moral boost our family.”
Upon being brought off sedation, Coach James reportedly had a question for his wife and those supporting him in the Duke University hospital:
“Where are my girls?”
His 18U team is at the Top Gun Invitational and, like a scene out of a Hollywood movie, Coach James’ daughter, Layla, hit a home run shortly after she and her team got a phone call and was able to speak her father.
“Those that know James best,” adds Coach Marissa, “won’t be surprised by his first inquiries. He asked about was his kids and his softball teams!”
The Dukes head coach also posted the happy news on her Twitter account:
Day 19- God is right on time!! 🙌🏽🙏🏼 @LadyDukesLamar @DukeHeartCenter pic.twitter.com/2xJeWLaZlL
— Marissa Young (@DukeCoachYoung) June 15, 2023
The ACC softball coach concluded:
“We don’t have the words to express how much the love and support of the softball community has meant to us over the last few weeks.”
— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball