Coaches from Duke and Stanford Partner with ACE

“ACE is an incredible program that provides student-athletes with an opportunity to share their passion for sport, community, and service with the world around them. The Stanford Women’s Gymnastics team has a number of ACE alumni and ambassadors who were deeply impacted by their experience. It truly is a transformative three-week period that exposes student-athletes to values, concepts, and life lessons that will resonate and influence their behavior, perspective, and leadership for the rest of their lives. We strongly encourage other Stanford and Duke student-athletes to participate with ACE and know every person, family and team will benefit from this enriching summer experience.”

–Tabitha Yim, Stanford Women’s Gymnastics Head Coach

Coaches are and have been important partners to ACE from the program’s beginning. ACE asks for input in program design from coaches. The ACE program works closely with coaches to develop programs that give student-athletes a unique opportunity to engage with communities abroad while still maintaining peak level performance and fitness. We communicate with you throughout the application and selection process. We continue to provide updates during the on-site experience and back-on campus programming.

ACE also partners with athletic trainers, nutrition, and sports medicine at both schools. We want to make sure that all participants receive the best possible preparation and care before, during and after their participation in ACE.

“What I would simply say to coaches is that there is no downside to the ACE program. Absolutely no downside. Your student-athlete will return fully engaged with added leadership and teamwork skills. They will have such a wider base than they’ve ever had before. Those are my simple words and they always have been – there’s absolutely no downside.”

– Jacki Silar, former Senior Associate Director of Athletics and SWA at Duke University and ACE Advisory Board Member

duke and stanford female student-athletes pose during game

During the fall 2019 field hockey season, Duke and Stanford’s teams played each other at Duke. This game provided a wonderful opportunity to highlight the ACE program. Pictured here is Jillian Wolgemuth – ACE in Vietnam ’18, Haley Schleicher – ACE in China ‘18, and Isabelle Pilson – ACE in Vietnam ’19. Photo courtesy of Duke Athletics.

Coaches FAQs

Questions about the ACE program? Our list of FAQs answers many of the questions coaches ask about the program. We include details about the on-site experience, training and nutrition resources, and ways to highlight ACE during the recruiting process. These will inform you on how we ensure your student-athlete participants have a safe and transformative experience with ACE. We also share how you, as their coach, can support your ACE student-athlete participants. Learn more.