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UTA softball head coach joins Athletes Unlimited coaching staff

Kara Dill, UTA softball head coach, will join the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s coaching staff for its inaugural season. Launching in June, four teams will play 24 games in the professional women’s softball league. Athletes Unlimited is an organization dedicated to empowering women’s sports. The league also partnered with ESPN to stream at least 18 games. Amid the rising popularity of women’s sports, the new league will allow softball players to play professionally without traveling overseas. “I don’t think it’s a question that people think softball players deserve a chance to continue playing at the pro level,” Dill said. “They haven’t even reached the peak of their athleticism by the time they graduate.” Currently in her third season at the helm for UTA softball, Dill will serve as the associate head coach for team Blaze. She said she will be responsible for managing its matchups and rotations. Having prior coaching experience in a professional softball league, Dill said she has seen what the sport has to offer for athletes. She credits the relationships she’s made for the opportunity to coach in the league. The league plans on expanding into a city-based league in 2026, creating home bases for each team. In its inaugural season, teams Blaze, Bandits, Talons and Volts will travel to 10 cities to play games, including Seattle, Chicago and Austin, Texas. Accepting the position comes with a sacrifice for Dill. Traveling with the league means she’ll be away from UTA during the summer, which is prime recruiting time. However, Dill said she will continue recruiting with the help of her staff. “It wouldn’t be something that I would do if it was going to pull away from UTA or my job here or my athletes here,” Dill said. “They are my number one priority, so having an opportunity where both things can work together is really a dream come true.” Dill hopes the opportunity can help her as a coach while establishing a legacy and said she understands the weight of being a part of something that hasn’t been done before. “Understanding, ‘How can I contribute to the sustainability of this league?,” she said. “I think that will be something that will be really impactful for me and for the summer.” @babyboimatt sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

UTA softball head coach joins Athletes Unlimited coaching staff

Softball head coach Kara Dill, right, shares jokes and laughs during practice Jan. 17 at Allan Saxe Field.

Kara Dill, UTA softball head coach, will join the Athletes Unlimited Softball League’s coaching staff for its inaugural season.

Launching in June, four teams will play 24 games in the professional women’s softball league. Athletes Unlimited is an organization dedicated to empowering women’s sports. The league also partnered with ESPN to stream at least 18 games.

Amid the rising popularity of women’s sports, the new league will allow softball players to play professionally without traveling overseas.

“I don’t think it’s a question that people think softball players deserve a chance to continue playing at the pro level,” Dill said. “They haven’t even reached the peak of their athleticism by the time they graduate.”

Currently in her third season at the helm for UTA softball, Dill will serve as the associate head coach for team Blaze. She said she will be responsible for managing its matchups and rotations.

Having prior coaching experience in a professional softball league, Dill said she has seen what the sport has to offer for athletes. She credits the relationships she’s made for the opportunity to coach in the league.

The league plans on expanding into a city-based league in 2026, creating home bases for each team. In its inaugural season, teams Blaze, Bandits, Talons and Volts will travel to 10 cities to play games, including Seattle, Chicago and Austin, Texas.

Accepting the position comes with a sacrifice for Dill. Traveling with the league means she’ll be away from UTA during the summer, which is prime recruiting time. However, Dill said she will continue recruiting with the help of her staff.

“It wouldn’t be something that I would do if it was going to pull away from UTA or my job here or my athletes here,” Dill said. “They are my number one priority, so having an opportunity where both things can work together is really a dream come true.”

Dill hopes the opportunity can help her as a coach while establishing a legacy and said she understands the weight of being a part of something that hasn’t been done before.

“Understanding, ‘How can I contribute to the sustainability of this league?,” she said. “I think that will be something that will be really impactful for me and for the summer.”

@babyboimatt

sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

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