Upcoming Event: Men's Golf versus The Invitational at The Honors Course on September 15, 2025
Men's Golf
vs The Invitational at The Honors Course
Photo by: Jared Lazarus/Duke University
Duke Student-Athletes Receive Climate Commitment Leadership Award
10/29/2024 10:44:00 AM | Athletics
DURHAM, N.C. - A group of Duke student-athletes was among the 19 individuals and teams recognized with Climate Commitment Leadership Awards at the annual Duke Climate Commitment Celebration event on Oct. 24. The ceremony had special significance this year as a celebration of the university reaching its climate neutrality goal.
Â
The awards recognize students, staff, and faculty who demonstrate leadership in climate and sustainability efforts in support of Duke's Climate Commitment and who embody the vision of the Climate Commitment.
Â
The Duke Sustainable Athletics Group (DSAG), consisting of honorees Brandon Hersh (football), Sydney Tomlak (volleyball), Ari Solomon (rowing), Ellie Coleman (tennis), Ethan Grimminger (wrestling), Max Forte (track & field), Megan McGinnis (track & field), Noelle Fuchs (rowing), Sean Morello (cross country), Zizi Newhard (fencing) and the group's founder, Alayna Burns (field hockey), were cited for pushing the needle forward in the Blue Devils' commitment to sustainability and combatting climate change. The student-led group is committed to supporting and leading sustainable projects within athletics and the Duke community.
Â
In the spring semester of 2023, DSAG introduced the Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive collecting 591 shoes in total. From this campaign alone, more than 300 shoes were recycled at Nike Cary via the Nike Grind Program, which repurposes end-of-life shoes into various new materials, and 283 shoes were donated at Fleet Feet Durham via the MORE Foundation Group, which distributes shoes to developing countries while funding conservation and agricultural projects in Ghana. By the conclusion of the second year of the Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive, DSAG had rerouted a collective total of 1,200 shoes and 600 pounds of compost away from landfills.
Â
The leadership of Burns and Nelson resulted in the two being the recipients of the 2024 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. Burns and Nelson received a $2,500 grant, in which they donated to Eco Athletes, a national non-profit dedicated to equipping and identifying athletes to combat the climate crisis.
Â
The Duke Sustainable Athletics Group continues to engage and educate Duke student-athletes and the broader campus and Durham communities in various ways, including but not limited to:
Green Week at Training Table Initiatives:
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. This historic milestone will deepen the understanding of Duke's rich history, inspire pride, strengthen community bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
Â
Â
The awards recognize students, staff, and faculty who demonstrate leadership in climate and sustainability efforts in support of Duke's Climate Commitment and who embody the vision of the Climate Commitment.
Â
The Duke Sustainable Athletics Group (DSAG), consisting of honorees Brandon Hersh (football), Sydney Tomlak (volleyball), Ari Solomon (rowing), Ellie Coleman (tennis), Ethan Grimminger (wrestling), Max Forte (track & field), Megan McGinnis (track & field), Noelle Fuchs (rowing), Sean Morello (cross country), Zizi Newhard (fencing) and the group's founder, Alayna Burns (field hockey), were cited for pushing the needle forward in the Blue Devils' commitment to sustainability and combatting climate change. The student-led group is committed to supporting and leading sustainable projects within athletics and the Duke community.
Â
In the spring semester of 2023, DSAG introduced the Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive collecting 591 shoes in total. From this campaign alone, more than 300 shoes were recycled at Nike Cary via the Nike Grind Program, which repurposes end-of-life shoes into various new materials, and 283 shoes were donated at Fleet Feet Durham via the MORE Foundation Group, which distributes shoes to developing countries while funding conservation and agricultural projects in Ghana. By the conclusion of the second year of the Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive, DSAG had rerouted a collective total of 1,200 shoes and 600 pounds of compost away from landfills.
Â
The leadership of Burns and Nelson resulted in the two being the recipients of the 2024 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award. Burns and Nelson received a $2,500 grant, in which they donated to Eco Athletes, a national non-profit dedicated to equipping and identifying athletes to combat the climate crisis.
Â
The Duke Sustainable Athletics Group continues to engage and educate Duke student-athletes and the broader campus and Durham communities in various ways, including but not limited to:
Green Week at Training Table Initiatives:
- Waste Sorting Awareness: DSAG members help provide education about trash/compost bins to ensure waste is sorted properly.
- Sustainability Trivia: Once a week they provide a space for student-athletes to learn about sustainability at Duke through a game of trivia.
- Sustainability Survey: DSAG provides QR codes on dining table at Training Table for student-athletes can submit questions, suggestions, or concerns about sustainability at Training Table.
- Compost Tracking: All compost collected for the week is sent to CompostNow, where it is weighed and measured.
- Duke Field Hockey hosted an equipment drive where they encouraged fans and students to donate gently used athletic equipment, shoes, and clothes. All items were donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham.
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. This historic milestone will deepen the understanding of Duke's rich history, inspire pride, strengthen community bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, visit 100.duke.edu.
#GoDuke
Â
Celebrating 10 Years of ACE!
Thursday, July 10
Celebrating 10 Years of ACE
Wednesday, July 09
Blue Devil 360: NCAA Champion
Wednesday, March 26
Duke Athletics - Top 5 Plays of February!
Thursday, March 13
