University of North Carolina Athletics
New Twist On The UNC-Duke Rivalry
April 10, 2017 | General, Student-Athlete Development, Carolina Outreach
CHAPEL HILL – Duke blue and Carolina blue normally don't mix. The heated rivalry between Duke University and the University of North Carolina athletic teams makes every sporting event between them intense. But this week, you might spot UNC and Duke student-athletes wearing each others' colors, albeit briefly.
The athletic departments from both schools have partnered with the nonprofit COMPASSION IT to help promote the message of sportsmanship and compassion to the Chapel Hill-Durham community and beyond during ACC Sportsmanship Week, April 10-16.
On Monday, April 10, student-athletes from UNC and Duke will be sharing their message of sportsmanship and compassion with students at Glenwood Elementary School. They'll also be showcasing acts of compassion through their social media platforms, and they hope others will join this initiative by taking photos and using the hashtag #ACCompassionIt.
“What an amazing opportunity to show the world that rivals can be compassionate," said Cricket Lane, UNC's Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. "If two of our country's most storied and competitive programs can find a way to spread the message of compassion together, then everyone can."
“We always talk about how leadership is about relationships in our programs," said Leslie Barnes, Duke's Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Development. "Compassion is big piece of successful relationships. This is a great way to collaborate and spread the message that before we are athletes or rivals, we are all humans first."
Using COMPASSION IT's two-sided silicone wristband as a tool, the student-athletes will flip the wristband from one side to the other when they do an act of compassion. Normally the wristbands are black and white, but COMPASSION IT created a special wristband for this initiative. Tar Heels will begin with the Duke blue side out in the morning and flip it to the Carolina blue side when they “compassion it,” and Blue Devils will begin with the Carolina blue side out.
Maggie Berra, a junior on the UNC rowing team, helped introduce COMPASSION IT to the two schools. “I have been so honored to work on this campaign," she said. "I wear my band every day and love it when I get to flip it to Carolina blue.”
COMPASSION IT was founded by UNC graduate Sara Schairer, and the nonprofit and global movement has inspired compassionate actions and attitudes in more than 50 countries and all 50 states.
“I have dreamed of using this Carolina-Duke rivalry to show the world that 'enemies' can still treat each other with respect," Schairer said. "It's a particularly relevant message in today's world."
COMPASSION IT's mission is to inspire compassionate actions and attitudes. Started in 2012, the San Diego-based nonprofit offers various compassion education programs, tools, and free resources.
For more information, check out www.compassionit.com or email Schairer at sara@compassionit.com.
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