Completed Event: Women's Lacrosse at #4 Florida on May 15, 2025 , Loss , 9, to, 11
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Women's Lacrosse
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at #4 Florida
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#DukeWLAX20th Spotlight: Sarah Bullard
8/25/2015 12:36:00 PM | Women's Lacrosse
As the Duke women's lacrosse program celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2015-16, GoDuke.com will be catching up with several Blue Devil alumnae to highlight memories from their collegiate careers and the paths they've taken to success in their professional fields. Look for the profiles throughout the year, and be sure to check out the 20th Anniversary landing page at goduke.com/wlax20th for more information.
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Sarah Bullard, 2008-11 |
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GoDuke.com: What are some of your favorite lacrosse memories from your time at Duke?
Sarah Bullard: A lot of little memories of funny times with the team stick out to me. I distinctly remember a Blue/White "Cook-Off" competition we did my freshman year on a team bonding trip to Wrightsville Beach, and our insane ability to turn anything into a serious event. That same trip we had a competition to see which group could dig the biggest hole in the sand - just ridiculous, silly things that the team made so much fun. On the lacrosse field, one of my favorite memories is beating Maryland in 2008 to make it to the Final Four - they had an incredibly talented, senior laden team, and we really had no business beating them. It was an unbelievable win and a complete team effort in every way -- there was no better feeling than looking around at our seniors after that game who had done so much to lead us there.
GoDuke.com: What lessons did you take with you from your time on and off the field?
SB: One of the big ones is just how valuable it is to be part of a team doing something you're incredibly passionate about. I have certainly realized after graduating how rare and special that is.
The way Kerstin runs our program emphasizes a level of character and integrity that is truly unique and absolutely shaped me.
Finally, the ability to have each other's backs and work for each other, on the field and off. It is teamwork, loyalty, passion, selflessness, all woven together, and I hope that stays with me for the rest of my life.
GoDuke.com: Who were some teammates that influenced you?
SB: The whole senior class my freshman year - the class of 2008 - was a huge influence on me and my class as a whole. They were a tremendously selfless group and really prioritized leading the team over everything. They also all embraced what they brought to the table individually. We carried that through our time there and tried to model the same leadership style when we were seniors.
GoDuke.com: What has it meant to you to be a member of the U.S. national team?
SB: It has been an absolute honor. To represent our country and to represent Duke as part of that is a huge source of pride and I'm grateful for the opportunity.
GoDuke.com: How did your education prepare you for your professional career?
SB: I always remember during the recruiting process, Kerstin describing Duke as 40-year decision, not just a four-year decision. She was the only coach I heard emphasize that, and it stuck out to my family and me. And ultimately, that was one of the reasons I chose to come to Duke. I have seen that "40-year decision" begin to play out in my career in terms of the doors that being a Duke alum and Duke student-athlete has opened.
Just like in sports, the working world is all about being a part of and contributing to high-performing teams, and with the student-athlete background, you are more prepared for that than most peers. There is a certain level of excellence associated with Duke, and when people see you have also developed the skills associated with being on a team at that level, that goes a long way in the working world as well.
GoDuke.com: Describe your career path and how it led you to Wheels Up.
SB: I spent my first two years out of school working for Mark Tribus, who I had met when he was running the ROTC Department at Duke and doing team-building and leadership development work with our team, among others. Mark started his own firm working nationally with college sports teams and executive teams to help increase their performance.
After working with Mark, I spent a year working with Fenway Sports Management in Boston, doing sports marketing and sponsorship sales for the sports properties under their umbrella. I then had the opportunity to move over to Wheels Up, first in New York, and currently in San Francisco. It has been a really exciting company to be with -- we were about six months old when I joined, and the company has doubled in size and there is great opportunity in the Bay Area to continue to scale.
GoDuke.com: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
SB: The people I have the opportunity to meet. Because of the nature of our product (private aviation), we deal with people who have been quite successful, and they have gotten to that place for a reason. As someone who's quite young in my career, it has been really valuable and a lot of fun to get to know some of these clients on a more personal level and to learn from them.
We are also involved in a lot of fun events -- so there are some great "work perks" that come along with that, as well!
GoDuke.com: What have been some keys to reaching the level of success you are at now?
SB: Having a willingness to take a risk and go for something, whether it's moving to a new city, going for the next job opportunity, etc. I think another thing a lot of people at Duke helped me realize was the importance of embracing an opportunity instead of being afraid of it, and that has helped me tremendously in pursuing goals after college.
GoDuke.com: What advice would you give to current or future student-athletes?
SB: Be willing to care, and put your heart into your team. No matter what happens, at the end of the day and at the end of your four years there if you can say you did that, I truly believe that is success.
#GoDuke
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