Club News: Ever-Growing Lady Dukes Organization Announces Key Coach & Team Adds, Especially in Texas

The Lady Dukes organization continues to grow and make news across the country.

Previously in July, organization head James Lamar announced six-figure NIL deals with Win Reality and Exclusive Sports and this weekend, following his 18U team’s Top 5 finish at PGF Nationals, has announced that the club program has made big strides in expanding nationwide, especially in Texas.

This week, Tim Fouts—father of Alabama great and Olympian Montana Fouts—announced that he was opening a Lady Dukes program in his home state of West Virginia and has already started the tryout process for ages 10U through 16U.

In Texas, Lamar confirmed that in the last three weeks, his program has added 22 teams for a total of 30. One organization that is merging in is the Prolific program led by Ray Vaughn.

The Prolific Fastpitch head man issued a state calling it a “Grand Closing… (and a) Grand Opening!”

He added:

“Prolific Fastpitch will always be special to me because of the journey and the amazing people that made it what it was. That being said, the next chapter of the story will be in that BLUE! I am extremely excited to be a part of bringing together one of the most ‘Prolific’ staffs in the country. When JD brought the idea to the table, we all realized that the timing is right, the pieces are in place and the future is bright. Stay tuned! Something serious is about to happen.

Along with teams, including three Lone Star State ones alone just this weekend—for example, Patrick Holsinger has brought in his 14U team based in Southeast, Texas—the Lady Dukes are bringing in some headline-quality coaches as well.

James Burgess, who has had great success in the Bombers organization, has been announced as an 18U coach on the national team.

“Timing is everything!” Burgess told Extra Inning Softball this weekend. “Through competition, a great opportunity has presented itself and I can’t wait to join Coach James Lamar and the Lady Dukes organization! The foundation has already been set and I can’t wait to start building with his crew.”

Also joining the fold is former Texas A&M great Kristen Cuyos who will coach a 14U team out of Texas for the Lady Dukes.

“What an exciting time to be a Lady Duke softball coach!” she said when announcing her move. “It is an honor and a privilege to be able to represent such a phenomenal organization. To be a part of the growth and upcoming in the state of Texas is huge!”

Let’s get after it💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/XXXGDJhRZE

— Kristen Cuyos (@CujoTheBeast17) July 22, 2022

Cuyos continued:

“The opportunity it brings—not only on the softball field but off the field as well to help promote these student-athletes—is something that I have not seen anywhere else. The talent that is produced in this organization is top-notch. It’s time to get to work on a new year with a new opportunity to grow the game and become stronger as one!”

Lamar began on the East Coast and has expanded the franchise as far out as the West Coast. Now, with his aggressive move into the Midwest and Southwest, the coach and program lead is planning on going even farther, he says.

“Texas is a great spot for talent and is centrally located from our California players and East Coast players,” Lamar explains.

“We are going to spend a lot of time in Texas in the near future to bring a brand of travel softball like never before. I want competition and I want the best competition.  Practices will be in 100-degree heat against the best players from Coast to Coast! We are using analytics and Win Reality technology to develop our players to be the best they can be.  I can’t wait, this is going to be one heck of a ride and exciting times for the Lady Dukes!”

One example: the Lady Dukes 18U team has just announced the addition of Arkansas Razorback commit Kennedy Miller a 2023 power-hitting infielder/catcher from Georgetown, Texas.

— Brentt Eads, Extra Inning Softball