Lipscomb University

Laura Dukes joined the Lipscomb softball staff in August 2020. 

The former Bison joined the softball coaching staff after a one-year stint down the Boulevard with Belmont where she was an assistant under former Lipscomb associate head coach Megan Rhodes-Smith. 

Dukes started her collegiate career on the diamond at Middle Tennessee where earned several honors including a First-Team All-Conference nod, three NFCA Academic All-America Scholar-Athlete nods, and a CoSIDA Academic All-District First-Team honor. 

After earning her undergraduate degree at Middle Tennessee, Dukes joined the Lady Bisons as a graduate transfer for her final year of eligibility where she started 31 of the 34 games she played in. Following the end of her playing career, she spent a season as Lipscomb's graduate manager as she completed her master's in Conflict Management. 

Prior to her stint at Belmont, Dukes spent two seasons at Division II Shepherd University as an assistant coach, helping guide the program to a single-season wins record and first-ever NCAA Super Regional appearance. 

Dukes has also spent time on staff at Austin Peay as well as with the Tennessee Fury Platinum organization as an 18U and 16U assistant coach for four years.