The Carolina Elite softball organization has announced a groundbreaking partnership that cements its status as the longest-tenured and one of the most accomplished programs spanning North and South Carolina.

With a legacy that has secured 500 college commitments—the most of any Carolina-based organization—Carolina Elite continues to be one of the most competitive travel ball programs in the country.

The historic merger brings together two organizations and softball coaches familiar to the softball community, Tony Genovese and Dave Maddaluna, under one unified banner.

Between them, the Carolina Elite program now fields over 40 teams and has strengthened opportunities for athletes, parents, and coaches.

Says Coach Maddaluna, who will lead the organization in the role of Director:

“By consolidating resources and expertise, the organization aims to provide a comprehensive experience for the Carolina Elite family, ensuring that players can reach their full potential both on and off the field.”

“Youth athletes wanting to grow in the game, and older more skilled athletes wanting to play at the next level, whether regionally, or nationally, will continue to have incredible opportunities.”

Genovese will a key influencer on the Board of Directors and continue to provide oversight to the National Teams.

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History

The original Carolina Elite was founded by Bryan Pack, a USC Upstate Asstiant Coach, in 2008. T

Genovese, a former assistant coach at Presbyterian College, joined the Elite in 2011, and with his daughter Adrienne Nix—currently an assistant coach at Furman University—launched the South Carolina Elite teams.

Maddaluna joined the Carolina Elite in 2016 under Coach Pack and the evolution of the organization saw two separate entities develop from one over the years, basically run by Maddaluna for North Carolina teams and Genovese, with support from Dana Fusetti, who has been a Vice-President in the org, and others, for the South Carolina squads.

This merger will unify two entities under one, led by Maddaluna.

“I want to specifically thank Bryan Pack for allowing me to join his organization back in 2016,” he explains.

“Bryan he spent a lot of time making sure I was connected to a lot of college coaches, and playing in the right tournaments to set me up for ongoing success. Working with Bryan really increased my love for running a softball organization and doing so the right way.”

Director Maddaluna continues:

“I feel like the past years where I was able to lead organizations, along with all the great experience Tony, Dana and others such as Tim Drotar, Ben Owens and Jeremy Press have brought to the table—reputationally, competitively, and with a very strong and proven college coaching network— only means good things for all the players who are in our organization.”

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So Why Now?

As the Carolina Elite approaches 2025 and a new year of softball, Coach Genovese explains how the unification of the organization came to be.

“I think we finally reached the point where we believe that together we can truly all begin to row in the same direction,” he begins.

“We want to see a strong and sustainable organization well into the future, and one that will outlive us both. Since Dave and I are both in the wind-down phase of our coaching careers, we will focus more of our time, talents and energies on developing a world class softball organization, focused on the young ladies who compete as Carolina Elite softball players.”

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A Tradition of Excellence 

Since its inception, Carolina Elite has consistently demonstrated its relevance on the national stage.

The organization has celebrated numerous Top 10 finishes at prestigious tournaments and the commitment to maintain its national prestige has made Carolina Elite a leading organization in the Carolina’s and beyond .

Maddaluna believes that removing the ongoing confusion of “which Elite are you with”, the combination adds a lot of value in four specific areas:

• Consistent Tournament Success

Thanks to coaches on the national stage such as Genovese, Fusetti, Drotar, and more recently with Mike Dodson from North Carolina who this year won the USA Softball Championships in 14U, the Carolina Elite has had many top finishes in national events.

“These coaches particularly don’t shy away from putting kids in environments where they are playing the best competition in the USA,” Maddaluna believes. “In front of college coaches and ensure they develop with and against players who they will play with and against in college.”

• Proven Recruiting Success

The Carolina Elite program has produced talent at all levels including over 510 commits combined in the 16-year history of the organization. Close to 50 of the athletes have gone to compete at standout Power 4 schools while several have advance to the pro level. Today, several players have been named as All-Americans and Conference Players of the Year.

“Carolina Elite coaches have forged positive personal relationships with top college programs,” the Director continues. “There is a level of respect and trust here thanks to close to 75 years of combined experience and relationship building combined.”

• Focus On Development

Carolina Elite players see an immediate focus on the development of skills, increasing game IQ and leadership training—all skills that go beyond the softball field.

• Governance

The organization is developing a Board of Directors to ensure all teamf needs are addressed, and the organizational can grow and be sustainable well into the future.

“This will include five leaders from the former Carolina Elite team I led, and five leaders from the former SC Elite under Tony Genovese,” Maddaluna adds. “With Tony and I on the wind-down phase of our coaching careers, my time and attention will be dedicated to supporting all the teams in the organization, recruiting support and player development activities. My goal is to provide more support and more tools and resources to support our players and allow our coaches to do what they love, which is coaching the game and developing outstanding student athletes. Together, all boats rise!”

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A Vision for the Future 

The merged leadership will guide the organization’s future, “ensuring decisions are made collaboratively and in the best interests of the organization, its athletes and their families,” the National Director continues.

“The board’s collective experience will further enhance the organization’s ability to foster growth and uphold the values that have defined Carolina Elite for decades.”

Some of the upgrades Maddaluna and Genovese are most excited about include:

• a new logo and uniforms to move forward as an integrated organization by 2026,
• an integrated website that will outline all the program’s history, as well as offer tools and resources to all coaches and their players,
• “Elite University” which is currently in the conceptual phase and will provide workshops to ensure Carolina elite players and coaches continue to develop,
• an in-house podcast series,
• dedicated staff focused on player and team development, social media, and Elite-sponsored camps and showcases.
• A brand name recognized across the United States for its competitive success as well as from college coaches and programs “who have enjoyed long-lasting relationships with our teams and coaches,” Maddaluna states.

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Looking Ahead 

With a renewed focus on unity, opportunity, and integrity, Carolina Elite looks to solidify its legacy as one of the premier softball organizations, not only in the Carolinas, but across the nation.

“This really is an incredible time to #Compete4Elite!” the Director concludes.

— Brentt Eads/Line Drive Softball

For more information about Carolina Elite, email Dave Maddaluna at: carolinaelitenc@gmail.com