Duke in the Community

DURHAM, N.C. -- Over the past several weeks Gretchen Miller (women's soccer), Stephanie Shyu (women's fencing), Ari Seelinger (baseball) and the men's basketball team have gone to local area elementary schools as part of the Verizon Read With The Blue Devils Program.

The Read With The Blue Devils program is intended to aid area teachers by providing reading incentives for third graders in Durham. By reading for 15 minutes for 12 nights, a youngster is able to reach various levels and earn Blue Devil gifts along the way. Among the prizes given out are autographed team photos, posters, t-shirts and chances to meet Duke student-athletes at various functions.

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On Oct. 2, the Blue Devils held the first Duke Children's Hospital Game Day of the 2009-2010 school year.

Duke Student Athletes "buddy up" with children from the hospital and their families at the event.

This year's first game day event took place at the Duke men's soccer game against Maryland. The families and their athlete buddies cheered on the men's soccer team as they upset Maryland in a 2-0 victory. The children and their buddies kicked the soccer ball around at half-time and stayed after the game to receive autographs from the men's soccer team. Almost the entire Duke women's soccer team volunteered their time at this event and Sean Cadley from the Duke women's fencing team.

Last year was the first time the Duke Children's Hospital and Duke Athletics teamed up to host these events at the following games: volleyball, women's basketball, and baseball.

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During Duke's football game against N.C. six members of the baseball volunteered for the Game Gazebos event.

This is the first year Duke student athletes are volunteering at Game Gazebos before every home football game.

The student athletes meet 90 minutes before kick-off and wear the sport specific athletic attire. The athletes interact with kids and families as they enter the stadium and pass out Duke face decals.

Players Mentioned

Gretchen Miller

Stephanie Shyu

Duke information