DURHAM – Duke field hockey senior Alayna Burns has been named a finalist for the Green Sports Award presented by BBC Sport, the organization announced Monday. Burns is among six athletes nominated in the Young Athlete of the Year category.
In a year of accelerating environmental impacts made more likely by climate change, sport has been simultaneously affected and called out for the emissions it generates. In its Green Sport Awards, BBC Sport celebrates the good news - the athletes, former athletes and organizations working hard to enact and inspire change.
Burns was nominated for her passion for creating action on sustainability issues. She was a driving force behind the Duke Sustainable Athletics movement and helped launch Duke's Sustainable Student organization, while also working closely on projects to help Duke University become more environmentally responsible.
This past spring, Burns led the "Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive", collecting 591 shoes in total. Just over 300 shoes were recycled at Nike Cary via the Nike Grind Program, which repurposes end-of-life shoes into various new materials. The remaining 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 in the process.
"After seeing so many shoes discarded over the seasons at Duke, we tested a solution to save our shoes from the trash," Burns said. "Thanks to the engaging team of student-athletes and collaborative staff of Duke Athletics, the Shoe Drive became a department-wide initiative."
Burns took part in the 2023 Green Sports Alliance in Seattle over the summer. It allowed her to collaborate with over 500 professionals from sports leagues, teams, entertainment venues, etc. to discuss ideas and initiatives to create a healthier and more sustainable community worldwide.
On the field, Burns has played in all nine games for the Blue Devils. She scored a goal in Duke's win over Longwood. In her four seasons, Burns has played in 49 career games with 10 starting assignments. She has six goals and three assists for 15 points.
Duke, 8-1 on the season, moved up one spot to No. 4 in the latest NFHCA poll. The Blue Devils host Wake Forest (3-4) Friday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m., on Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium.
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