The Athletes Unlimited Softball League (AUSL) Tuesday announced Durham as the home of the Carolina Blaze, North Carolina’s newest women’s professional sports property. The Blaze will host their games at Smith Family Stadium at Duke University in Durham.
The team will be led by General Manager Dana Sorensen, alongside Head Coach Kara Dill, the current coach at UT-Arlington.
The Blaze will join the Chicago Bandits, Oklahoma City Spark, Portland Cascade, Texas Volts and Utah Talons in the six-team league, which begins play on June 9. Fans can become Founding Season Ticket Members beginning Tuesday 1/13. Group tickets for all games are also available. Single game tickets will be available at a later date.
“The Carolinas have produced generations of elite softball talent, and Durham represents the heart of that tradition,” said Kim Ng, Commissioner of the Athletes Unlimited Softball League. “Playing at Smith Family Stadium allows us to connect the Blaze to a region that values competition, development, and the continued growth of women’s sports.”
“We’re beyond excited to bring the AUSL to Durham and launch the Carolina Blaze, a name that represents both the fiery energy of our fans and the trailblazing spirit that defines this community and the Carolinas,” said Durham Sports Commission Executive Director Marcus Manning. "This marks another opportunity to inspire young athletes, elevate the game, and strengthen community pride. We sincerely thank Duke University for partnering with us and providing access to their world-class softball facilities in a true reflection of our ‘One Team, One Durham’ approach.”
“We’re excited to open up our facilities to this incredible league,” said Bob Weiseman, Deputy Director of Athletics at Duke University. “We hope this inspires the next generation of athletes and gives fans across the Carolinas the opportunity to experience top-tier professional softball right here in Durham.”
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