This is part of a series highlighting recent ACE participants who are finding meaningful ways to connect and build on their ACE experience beyond their three-week ACE summer program. After student-athlete participants complete their ACE summer, they are encouraged to think about a specific goal that connects their ACE experience to their life in a meaningful way. ACE staff support this process through the development of a personal ACE Action Plan and 1-1 coaching, group meetings, and check-ins throughout the year. Learn more about the ACE Plan Process and other ways ACE student-athletes are supported post-experience.
Seamus Harding, a junior on the Duke Swimming and Diving Team and alum of ACE in Place Vietnam 2022, took away the positive energy and experience of working with Coach for College to then find a way to spread a similar experience to student-athletes on Duke’s campus.
“I felt like I taught the Vietnamese children about being true to yourself and having good mental health. It is important to find your own time to stop and reflect to make sure you are doing okay up in your head.”
Through Harding’s own experiences of checking in on his mental health, he felt that it was important to create a space for other student-athletes to check in on themselves. Seamus had envisioned a space where student-athletes can vent, talk about issues they want to talk about, and open a door for others to combat or express their mental health. Specifically, Harding mentioned that some student-athletes on Duke’s campus may not feel comfortable yet seeking sessions with the Behavioral Health experts provided by Duke Athletics.
However, as for any Duke student – let alone a Duke student-athlete – time was extremely precious.
“I was able to implement what I wanted to do with my ACTION plan but did it in a way that reflected what I have been through. It showed that if he is doing it, you can do it too. I want others to be comfortable to ask for help!”
– Seamus Harding, ACE in Place Vietnam 2022
“As the crazy year had gone by, I just didn’t have enough time to make my ACTION plan come to life. I reached out to Leslie Barnes and Dawn Kane who work with student-athlete development, and they instructed me to work with Dr. Stephanie Barrett, a Duke Athletics Staff Psychologist. We are still working out ways that we can make my ACTION plan come to fruition.”
Although Harding’s original idea after his ACE in Place experience couldn’t immediately work, he found different ways to get involved with another ACE Alum.
“Phoebe Brinker (ACE in Colorado 2022 Alum) asked me to write an Uncut article, which would provide a platform and space to reflect on what I have been through”.
Duke Uncut is a student-athlete storytelling platform that allows student-athletes like Harding to share their story with others.
“I was able to implement what I wanted to do with my ACTION plan but did it in a way that reflected what I have been through. It showed that if he is doing it, you can do it too. I want others to be comfortable to ask for help!”
Harding’s article was recently released in early February. It has already been shared multiple times over social media and student-athletes surely have benefitted from Harding’s vulnerability and ability to share outside his comfort zone. Harding reflected on his ACE in Place Vietnam experience stating, “I was so happy that I went out of my comfort zone, as it made the process even more smooth and impactful.”
Although Harding’s original vision of his ACTION plan hasn’t developed to its final form yet, the example of two ACE Alums – Harding and Brinker – collaborating to help foster important conversations is inspirational and a demonstration of going for the good, together.