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Nominate a Colleague for Duke Football Captain

Suggest a star performer to serve as honorary captain for season home opener 

By Bryan Roth

From now to July 29, Working@Duke is accepting nominations for honorary employee captain for Duke football.

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The title, which has been bestowed annually since 2012 to a faculty or staff member who goes above and beyond in the workplace, will get him or her on the field during the Sept. 3 Employee Kickoff Celebration football game against North Carolina Central University. 

When providing nominations, Duke community members are encouraged to highlight how the nominee excels in areas of Duke’s Guiding Principles, which are trustworthiness, respect, diversity, learning and teamwork. Acting as employee captain isn’t just about being a fan of Duke sports.

As part of the recognition, the faculty or staff member will experience Duke football from a player's perspective the week of the game. While the honorary captain won't punt, pass or kick, he or she will join the Blue Devils for team activities, including:

  • Participating with head coach David Cutcliffe during a weekly press luncheon.
  • Running onto Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium with the football team before kickoff against North Carolina Central and participating in the pre-game coin toss with officials and team captains.
  • Watching the game from the sidelines.
  • Recording a video with a member of the team to broadcast during the game.

Last year’s honorary captain, Keith Lawrence, said being a part of the pre-game coin toss was his most memorable moment. He stood at mid-field with referees and players and after Duke won the toss, was handed the silver coin used specially for the occasion. Lawrence, executive director of news and communications with Duke's Office of News and Communications, was selected as employee captain last year after finishing as a runner up the previous three years. 

“When I first learned I would be captain, I frankly was a little embarrassed – a 57-year-old with an artificial knee running out on to a field with top-conditioned athletes,” Lawrence said in a recap of his experience. “But I am glad that feeling quickly faded. What a great night … and my record as honorary employee captain stands at 1-0.”

Faculty and staff can nominate coworkers by filling out an online form. Nominators are encouraged to share details about why their nominee's performance in the office, classroom or lab should be recognized on the field as an honorary captain.

Nominations are due by noon July 29. This year’s captain will be announced the week of Aug. 1.

Keith Lawrence, center, in Duke blue shirt and hat, was 2015's honorary employee captain. He cited the pre-game coin toss as a particularly memorable moment. Photo by Duke Photography.