Hampsch, Carter, Smith and Trahan Voted to Duke SAAC Executive Board

DURHAM – Duke Athletics recently announced its four representatives for the Atlantic Coast Conference 2023-24 Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) Executive Board.

Duke senior field hockey student-athlete Piper Hampsch will serve as the Chair of the 2023-24 SAAC Executive Board and DeWayne Carter (football), Sydney Smith (women's lacrosse) and Job Trahan (men's track & field) round out Duke's contingent on the committee.

Hampsch will lead the executive board with the help of ACC SAAC Vice Chair Chloe Minas of the Pitt women's soccer team and Olivia Summiel of the Virginia Tech women's basketball team who will serve as the ACC's representative to the NCAA Division I SAAC, which reports directly to the NCAA Division I Council.

"There is no committee more important than the respective campus and conference student-athlete advisory committees," said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. "The members of this incredibly significant committee serve as a collective voice for our nearly 10,000 student-athletes and provide critical feedback and perspective as our league strives to fulfill the ACC's mission to maximize the educational and athletic opportunities that shape our leaders of tomorrow."

Hampsch is currently pursuing a Master of Management Studies degree at Duke's Fuqua School of Business after graduating last May. On the field, the native of Hopedale, Mass., has started 55 of her 60 games played in goal. She currently ranks eighth in Duke history with 241 career saves and has been instrumental in the Blue Devils moving to a No. 4 national ranking and 10-1 record this season.

Carter recently was tabbed a semifinalist for the 2023 William V. Campbell Trophy awarded to the best football student-athlete in the nation for combined academic success, football performance and exemplary leadership.

The Pickerington, Ohio, native has been instrumental in Duke's defensive presence throughout his five years. In five games this year, Carter has recorded 15 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, two pass breakups, two quarterback hurries and one fumble recovery. In the classroom, Carter is pursuing a degree in psychology with a minor in education and theater and is set to graduate from Duke in December 2023.

A sophomore defender, Smith played an integral role with Duke's defensive unit as one of only three freshmen to see consistent playing time. Smith played in 12 games for the Blue Devils as a rookie, collecting one ground ball and one caused turnover. She was one of six Duke student-athletes who participated in the ACC's Unity Tour in July as part of the league's commitment to supporting student-athletes through meaningful educational opportunities, including the area of social justice. The Mt. Airy, Md., native was a standout for McDonogh and garnered the W. Taylor Cook Award as the school's best all-around student in the senior class. Smith has continued her leadership at Duke as the youngest member of the executive board for Duke.

A senior sprinter for the Blue Devils, Trahan has been equally as active off the track as on it throughout his time in Durham. He took part in the Black Student-Athlete Summit this past May, traveling to Southern California for the event designed to empower and uplift Black student-athletes by providing them with the tools to excel both academically and professionally. Trahan also is an active member of the Duke's United Black Athletes organization among other groups on campus.

On the track, Trahan competes in the 200 and 400-meter races. He was a member of the men's 4x200m (1:25.03) and 4x400m (3:09.01) relays that set school records in those respective events at the 2022 Texas Relays. Additionally, Trahan owns personal bests of 21.83 in the 200 and 48.41 in the 400.

The ACC SAAC representatives play an important role in bridging the gap between administrative personnel and the student-athlete body both at their respective institutions and throughout the conference. The committee is designed to incorporate ideas and opinions from student-athletes into legislative decisions that will affect our academic and athletic pursuits. These athletes are developing valuable leadership skills as they address changes in rules and regulations, organize community service events, and build a positive image for collegiate athletes.

The ACC SAAC will be guided by the following principles: ethics, integrity, fairness, and a respect for diversity, which shall include attention to gender, race, ethnicity and sport.

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