Blue Devils Extend their Education Outside of the Classroom

Photo by: Duke Photography

Blue Devils Extend their Education Outside of the Classroom

7/5/2023 10:16:00 AM | Field Hockey, Football, Men's Basketball, Men's Lacrosse, Men's Soccer, Women's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse, Track & Field, Volleyball, Athletics

DURHAM – School might be out for the summer for most Duke student-athletes, but the learning hasn't stopped as several Blue Devils have or will extend their education outside of the classroom and athletic arena over the summer months.

It's been a busy time since finals ended in early May as numerous Blue Devils have taken advantage of opportunities granted to them from both Duke and the Atlantic Coast Conference. Here is what some of our Blue Devils are up to before returning to campus in August.

BLACK STUDENT-ATHLETE SUMMIT
May 21-24 | University of Southern California | Vincent Anthony Jr. (Football), Aeneas Peebles (Football), Christian Rorie (Football), Job Trahan (Track & Field), Kinsie Huggins (Track & Field), Kiara Ekeigwe (Track & Field), Millie Muir (Volleyball), Ngozi Iloh (Volleyball) & Ashlon Jackson (Women's Basketball)

The Black Student-Athlete Summit is an event designed to empower and uplift Black student-athletes, providing them with the tools to excel both academically and professionally. With three days filled with engaging content, networking opportunities, and inspiring individuals, the Summit aims to maximize the college experience for Black student-athletes. Participants are encouraged to seize every opportunity and make the most of their time in college, while professional staff attending the Summit are equipped to create innovative initiatives that enhance the competitiveness of Black student-athletes in the global workforce after graduation.

CAREER IN SPORTS FORUM
June 1-4 | Indianapolis, Ind. | Jide Akinjisola (Track & Field) & Brandon Hersh (Football)

The NCAA Career in Sports Forum is an annual educational program designed for 200 selected NCAA student-athletes who are interested in pursuing careers in sports, with a focus on college athletics. Over the course of three days, participants had the opportunity to network with professionals in the field and gain valuable insights into various career paths within the sports industry. Through engaging discussions, keynote presentations, and interactive sessions, attendees explored their personal strengths, developed professional skills, and learned about the roles and responsibilities of intercollegiate coaches, athletics administrators and national governing body staff members. By the end of the forum, participants left with a comprehensive understanding of the sports industry and how they can contribute to its dynamic landscape as future professionals.

NIL SUMMIT
June 3-5 | College Football HOF – Atlanta, Ga. | Krew Verratti (Men's Soccer), DeWayne Carter (Football) & Dorian Mausi (Football)

Built by student-athletes, for student-athletes, the NIL Summit is an immersive multi-day professional development experience and gathering place for college sports' most important stakeholders to share cutting-edge ideas, discover new interests, and learn how to maximize NIL opportunities to build their brands and amplify their voices. Whether it's hearing from the world's foremost celebrity influencers, being inspired by their favorite pro-athlete turned business mogul, or having the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded professionals who want to shape the future of college athletics, student-athletes will leave the NIL Summit equipped with the knowledge and relationships necessary to leverage their influence to create a better future for themselves and their communities.

GREEN SPORT ALLIANCE (GSA) SUMMIT
June 26-28 | Seattle, Wash. | Brandon Hersh (Football) & Alayna Burns (Field Hockey)

The 2023 Green Sports Alliance (GSA) Summit, hosted at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle, Wash., from June 27-28, will bring together over 500 professionals from sports leagues, teams, entertainment venues, corporate leaders, athletes, and community stakeholders. The 12th annual gathering will showcase best-in-class ideas and initiatives that aim to create healthier, more sustainable, and vibrant communities worldwide. With a focus on climate action, environmental stewardship and social justice, the 2023 summit will feature main-stage panels, solution sessions, and roundtable discussions, as well as an Innovation Hub showcasing sustainable solutions and networking opportunities.

ACC UNITY TRIP
July 9-12 | Washington, D.C. | Jaylen Blakes (Men's Basketball), Rachel Richardson (Volleyball), Christina Barrow (Volleyball), Charlie Johnson (Men's Lacrosse), Sydney Smith (Women's Lacrosse), Sydney Tomlak (Volleyball), Taren Moore, Leslie Barnes, Dan Brooks & Jamal White

The 2023 ACC Unity Trip invites six student-athletes and four staff representatives from each member institution to partake in an immersive educational experience. Participants will visit significant sites of the civil rights movement, engage with congressional members, and commemorate the 50th anniversary of Title IX. The trip will be highlighted with a historical guided walk of the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington. Guided by the theme of awareness to action, the trip emphasizes the pursuit of racial and gender equity.

ACC SAAC MEETINGS
July 24-26 | Charlotte, N.C. | Piper Hampsch (Field Hockey) & Job Trahan (Football)

Two representatives from each league institution have been invited to attend the ACC SAAC's summer in-person meeting. This gathering will serve as a crucial planning session for the upcoming 2023-2024 academic year, where topics such as legislative updates, leadership development, and career growth will be discussed. By fostering collaboration and strategic decision-making, this meeting aims to enhance the overall student-athlete experience within the ACC conference.

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