Ex-OU softball star Jocelyn Alo joins Athletes Unlimited, will still play for OKC Spark

Jocelyn Alo wants to keep building momentum for women’s sports.

That’s part of why the former OU softball star and NCAA career home run leader signed with Athletes Unlimited and will compete in the AU Pro Softball AUX in Wichita, Kansas in June.

“Not only to challenge myself more, but just for the growth of the game,” Alo told The Oklahoman. “I think that’s why a lot of us are continuing to play and why a lot of us are doing what we do is because I genuinely believe that this sport can be a big sport and I genuinely believe that professional softball can be a career for girls.

“I’m definitely trying to propel the sport forward and just do my part because softball has given me so many opportunities.”

Alo holds NCAA records for career home runs (122), total bases (761) and slugging percentage (.987).

More: Oklahoma softball run-rules Tulsa as Kierston Deal pitches no-hitter for Sooners

Jocelyn Alo will still play for OKC Spark

Alo remains a member of the Oklahoma City Spark, whose season is scheduled to begin June 19.

The AUX games will take place June 10-25 at Wilkins Stadium at Wichita State and all games will be broadcast on ESPN networks.

“Athletes Unlimited is where the world’s best professional athletes compete, and few have lit up the softball field more in recent years than Jocelyn Alo, so I’m thrilled to officially welcome her to our family,” Cheri Kempf, Senior Vice President and Director of Softball for Athletes Unlimited said in a release.

The Spark’s home opener is scheduled for June 27 against Great Britain.

Alo said she paid close attention to the recent Women’s Final Four, which set viewership records.

“I just think people are starting to recognize us as more than just women playing with the ball,” Alo said. “Like, we’re actually ballers in our sport. Like, we’re so good and we work so hard at what we do. We just don’t get enough credit for what it is that we do. And I think that with women’s basketball doing what they did in this postseason and just seeing women’s sports on the rise right now, it’s like, man, we’re really damn good athletes and we just have needed that time for people to recognize that.”

More: Relive OU softball's run to three straight WCWS titles with our 'Crimson Empire' book

What is Athletes Unlimited?

Athletes Unlimited Pro Softball has an unique scoring system which determines an individual champion.

Players accumulate both individual inning and overall game wins, get points for hits and other accomplishments during the game and the top three players of the game as voted by players and others accumulating bonus points.

“One thing I have to adjust to is just not being on the same team every week,” Alo said. “So I love to talk to pitchers and I’m sure pitchers aren’t gonna wanna talk to me because they’re like, ‘Why are you trying to get into my game plan?

“I’m just interested to see what it’s like switched week to week. I think it’ll be a little bit difficult but again, it is just softball at the end of the day.”

The AUX roster includes former James Madison star pitcher Odicci Alexander and former Wichita State star middle infielder Sydney McKinney.

“It’s 2024 and women demand more now,” Alo said. “We’re seeing the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League) get their stuff going, I see the WNBA starting to get hot and now I feel like the softball community is like, ‘All right, it’s our turn and it’s our turn to just demand more.’”

The AUX event begins with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. June 10 on ESPNU.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Former OU softball star Jocelyn Alo joins Athletes Unlimited