Club News: Unity Picks Up NJ Lady Dukes, Eyes 20-30 Team Expansion in Northeast

The Unity organization headed by Josh Johnson which, not too long ago was called “Virginia Unity,” is taking on more of a national feel as the program expands into new states.

And it comes with a purposeful “Duke” feel.

A week ago, the travel ball entity announced that former Duke Assistant Coach Bryan Jones as Director of Player Development. Shortly afterwards, two club teams—Lady Dukes New Jersey and the Lady Dukes Lehigh Valley—announced that they were merging with Unity.

We are very grateful for the years as Lady Dukes. We look forward to this journey as part of the Unity Family. We will continue to field teams 10U thru 18U.@UnityCoachJosh pic.twitter.com/OUhxUzvwe3

— New Jersey Unity (@UnityNewJersey) July 23, 2024

The Lady Dukes travel ball program has been run by James Lamar, husband of Duke Head Coach Marissa Young, but his activities with the club have been limited after he suffered a stroke in 2023 forcing a heart and kidney transplant along with other medical issues.

The integration of these two teams, however, is just the beginning of what Johnson says will be a major push along the East Coast up into the Northeast.

“We believe it will be, roughly, a 20 to 30 team expansion into the Northeast.”

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball