THANK YOU Grace, Mary, Charlotte, Hannah, Kelsey, Josie and Raphaelle
THANK YOU! YOU ARE DUKE TRUE THROUGH AND THROUGH
I could not be more proud to celebrate such an incredible group of Duke True seniors. Each has evolved during their respective time at Duke and in their own unique way. While growing as individuals and learning more about themselves and their personal goals, they have also grown closer together. It’s amazing to see the transformation from the five that arrived on campus four years ago as high school graduates to the women they are today and how they each confidently carry themselves, work to represent Duke, and serve the team to help our program be the best on the field and as a cohesive unit. Together we have navigated through some very difficult times. We are here today because of the love, trust, and commitment we have all made to each other and to Duke University. We continue to get better together and I will forever remember this group for their resilience and love. DUKE TRUE.Pam Bustin
Grace joined our program two years ago during a difficult COVID season. Her love for the game and desire to be a part of this team are immeasurable. Her maturity and self-reliance have been great examples to our younger players as they navigated life, school and hockey through unprecedented times. Her willingness to work and improve her game pushed us all to be better and her diligence has paid off in the goal cage. Balancing both a demanding grad program and field hockey program is not for all and Bill has done so with grace and enthusiasm. Thank you Bill for all the greatness you have shared with Duke field hockey. Thank you for sharing the Duke True passion!Pam Bustin
Mary Harkins - The YING to Hannah’s YANG, Mary continues to work and play alongside her high school and club teammate Hannah Miller. As Hannah’s energy is easy to see, Mary’s fire is more internal. However, do not be fooled. Mary is a fierce competitor and astute student of the game. She has a great tactical understanding and ability to read game situations. Mary has worked to raise her physical game to an elite level to match the demands of top D1 field hockey and her game IQ. As her confidence on the field grew, so did her on-field leadership. Mary has taken command of our backfield and has provided a source of steady strength in which our younger players can grow. I truly enjoy assisting Mary through her Duke field hockey journey - thank you Mary for your trust and patience. Keep it going!Pam Bustin
Charlotte’s investment in Duke True positively affects both our on-field performance and the health of our team culture. She has willingly shared her perspective on situations within the team and that has opened great conversation and solid solutions. She brings her best each and every day and continues to improve her game. She has been a member of our leadership group for multiple years and has earned the trust and respect from her team. Char’s legacy to the team will undoubtedly be her commitment to helping our program communicate at a more effective level. Thank you Char for your love and commitment to Duke True.
On the day Hannah arrived at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium she brought her hustle and she hasn’t stopped. She is arguably one of the most consistent, hardest workers to ever wear the Duke field hockey jersey. Always looking to improve, Hannah has been the one to arrive early or stay late to get the extra touches or extra repetitions. She plays and competes with raw emotion and motivates others with her desire to win. Hannah has emerged as our field captain and team leader through this dedication to the game, to her teammates and to Duke University. Her love and efforts are deeply appreciated and celebrated! Thank you Hannah!
I am extremely proud to be a part of Kelsey’s collegiate journey. She has challenged herself, and me, from day to day in ways that have made both of us re-evaluate our approach to different situations and adjust how we see certain things. This ability to confront and work through conflct has served as a standard for all Duke True team members, helping to improve our overall team culture. Kelsey is a highly competitive and extremely skilled player with the absolute goal of helping her team and teammates succeed. She has been a steady force on the field this year and I am excited to see it continue throughout the rest of the season. Thank you Kelsey for your belief and resilience.
Josie has been a consistent contributor on the field both within the midfield and forward line. Her strength, speed and flat-out desire to dominate have created havoc for numerous opponents. Her trademark high-tempo style of play is now complemented by her ability to change up that tempo to be more effective and less predictable throughout the course of a match. Her high expectations for herself and her team have helped to create extremely competitive daily practices and gameday performances. Thank you Josie for your heart and enthusiasm!
Rapha was an easy fit when she arrived to campus. Coming to Duke for the first time, beginning her challenging graduate program and joining a new team could normally be overwhelming. However, Rapha immediately made Duke University her home and Duke Field Hockey her family. Her competitive spirit was a welcomed energy to our driven group and her desire to connect with the team aligned with our focus on collaborative play. Her unconditional willingness to help the team gave us a new level of versatility and flexibility. She has made our team better and stronger on and off the field, and I am deeply grateful. Thank you Rapha for choosing Duke and for bringing your best every day!
