SUPPORT
Duke has the key ingredients for a top-caliber team: the draw of a world-class university, top-tier coaching, a history of success, and with the recent funding of scholarships for the women’s team, strong university support.
However, what too often happens is that a world-class recruit is highly interested in Duke, visits the aging aquatic center, their enthusiasm dims and they go elsewhere.
What is still needed:
- Facilities that more accurately reflect what the Duke Swimming and Diving program is all about (for example, the current locker rooms are probably not a selling point to either current athletes or recruits)
- Operating expenses that a top level swimming program requires -- things ranging from diagnostic equipment to simple funding for away meets.
The Duke Athletic Department cannot fund all of these things. So, the ability to attract and keep top student-athlete recruits relies in great part on contributions from our alumni base.
- Great progress has been made - - the entry lobby was recently refurbished due to alumni contributions. But we are not where we need to be yet.
Here is what your donation can do:
- $3000 will purchase much-needed underwater diagnostic camera equipment
$1500 will purchase one new platform wedge starting block (standard for NCAA competition)
$1000 will purchase one month of athletic rehabilitative therapy
And donations are always needed for operating expenses. For example:
- $500 covers expenses for one swimmer for winter training
- $350 purchases one competition swimsuit
- $250 covers expenses for a recruit to visit Duke
- $100 covers meals for one swimmer at an away meet
- donations of any size really do make a difference
If you feel inspired to make a donation directly to the team, you can do so through the Iron Dukes Varsity Club. Just make sure to specify the recipient as Duke Swimming & Diving.
Remember, Varsity Club donations count toward overall Duke giving and are considered the same as any other donation to Duke.
In the meantime, you can help by staying connected with the team and your teammates, and by keeping Duke Swimming and Diving in mind -- together we can make a big difference for the team.
Major Donor Naming Opportunities
There are also opportunities for transformational improvements in facilities with a named donation. Please contact Deirdre Gordon or Jay Lapidus of Iron Dukes for more information.