North Wake News

The North Carolina Courage is enhancing the in-stadium experience for fans, players, and staff. Emily Hunter-Valencia, Director of Live Production, leads these efforts with her team to create an engaging environment.

“Throughout my career, my favorite moments during a show are when you feel that hush of the crowd as something’s going on in the stadium and then it just builds to this uproar. A lot of that comes through when all involved are having fun and can translate that fun to the fans,” Hunter-Valencia said.

New additions include pre- and post-game traditions, an improved Courage Clap featuring a drum, a Player of the Match item, enhanced video board graphics, and Joe Cristy as the new PA announcer. Cristy has 20 years of experience at High Point University and Wake Forest University and professional-level soccer announcing with MLS Next Pro’s Carolina Core.

“My wife was a big influence in taking this opportunity with the Courage. She played college at the Division I level and coaches high-level club soccer now. It’s a situation where I know the women’s game well; we follow the sport as a family. My style fits the women’s game well, but knowing and following a lot of the players in the NWSL will help me excel in this role,” Cristy said.

Hunter-Valencia emphasizes adaptability in their approach: “Just because you don’t see something at the beginning of the year doesn’t mean that it’s not coming, or counter to that, if something isn’t quite right, if we need to modify something slightly or emphasize it, we will. Our goal is to make it a seamless process for someone to fall in love with this team and this environment.”

She stresses honoring past contributions while fostering growth: “We’ve had past success. We’ve had past failure... It’s important to me that we remember and acknowledge the past but also be willing to try new things.”

Mark Callaway's retirement marks a transition after over 17 years as PA announcer for both North Carolina FC and Courage. Hunter-Valencia acknowledged his contribution: “We are incredibly grateful to Mark for his work over the years... This whole process has been to emphasize and amplify a lot of that love that’s been put into the team over the years.”

The Courage aims to deliver excellence on and off-field at First Horizon Stadium.