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As Earth Day approaches, we want to celebrate some incredible work being done by youth leaders who are harnessing sport’s power to drive environmental change. Today, meet 2024 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award (BJKYLA) Regional Honorees Alayna Burns and Brandon Hersh – two outstanding student-athletes at Duke University in North Carolina, USA and EcoAthletes Champions. With an unwavering dedication to sustainability, they are paving the way for future generations of athletes to make a meaningful impact in their communities and on the planet.
Alayna Burns: Championing a Resilient Future through Sport
Alayna, a passionate environmental advocate and Duke student-athlete (field hockey), discovered her calling for sustainability early on. As a high school student, she realized the urgency surrounding climate change and dedicated herself to activism, starting with local environmental initiatives. But it was during her time at Duke that Alayna found a way to integrate her love for sports with her drive to create a sustainable future.
Her involvement in environmental activism at the university began when she noticed gaps in the school’s post-pandemic sustainability efforts. Following an inspiring environmental service trip to Colorado, Alayna returned to campus with a newfound vision: to combine the power of student-athletes with the need for sustainable practices.
She teamed up with EcoAthletes, a nonprofit that “inspires and coaches athletes to lead climate action” early on to help meet other athletes who shared her same vision. “I discovered just how impactful my platform was as a student-athlete once I began voicing my ideas for on-campus activism to this community… I learned about the awesome work that student-athletes were doing in the sustainability space by joining a group called ACC Sustainable Athletes,” shared Alayna. “Since then, I’ve been catalyzing connections for EcoAthletes while amplifying their action projects.”
Alayna co-founded the Duke Sustainable Athletics Group (DSAG) to align Duke Athletics with the university’s broader climate commitment, addressing areas such as waste reduction, energy usage and carbon emissions. By connecting with administrators, athletes and faculty members, the group unites like-minded individuals to take action through project work. It was this mission – to combine athletics with climate action – that inspired other student-athletes, like her fellow honoree, Brandon to join the movement.
One of DSAG’s first successes was the Devils Doing Good Shoe Drive, which diverted over 1,500 pairs of shoes from landfills, a model that has become an ongoing initiative. Alayna and Brandon’s leadership extended to larger campus-wide projects, including the Bleed Blue, Live Green Field Hockey Game and the Climate Commitment Football Game, which featured a zero-waste strategy and engaged fans with sustainability-themed activities. These events helped divert hundreds of pounds of compost from landfills and raised awareness of the environmental impact of athletic events.
Looking to the future, Alayna and Brandon laid the groundwork for Duke Athletics’ Climate Team (ACT), a formal committee designed to incorporate sustainability into all facets of athletics operations, which launched last Fall. “The process of building the ACT has been the most unique and rewarding experience in my sustainable athletics journey at Duke. I hope to see the ACT provide the longevity that student-led initiatives often fail to secure. The ACT can turn this moment to a movement by uniting the right people, resources and plans towards the future of Duke’s green sports leadership,” said Alayna.
Brandon Hersh: Leveraging Sports for Sustainability
Brandon’s journey from a walk-on football player at Duke to a passionate sustainability advocate highlights resilience and determination. After initially pursuing collegiate baseball, Brandon ended up joining Duke as a football equipment manager. His sports background caught the attention of coaches and he walked onto the team in 2020, despite having no prior football experience.
It was during this time that he noticed a gap in the athletics department’s sustainability practices and joined DSAG. “My passion for sustainability started with a love for the outdoors and an interest in the world around me – but it really took shape through my experience as a student-athlete. Being part of a team taught me the importance of leadership, accountability, and the opportunity for collective impact. I realized that sports have this unique power to bring people together and influence culture,” he said.
“The ACT is designed to be the backbone of our sustainability work and transform facilities and operations to fan engagement. Having a comprehensive plan and structure means we’re not just doing one-off projects; we’re embedding sustainability into how Duke Athletics operates long-term. It’s about creating lasting systems that benefit both Duke, our community and the environment while making sure our values show up in every aspect of the athletic experience.”
Both Brandon and Alayna have worked closely with EcoAthletes to help athletes lead climate action and amplify their work. They’ve contributed to the growth of the EcoAthletes Collegiate Cup, a competition that converts athletic activities into environmental currency. Through this competition, over 9.2 metric tons of carbon were sequestered in 2024, a fourfold increase from the previous year.
They also amplified VOTE CLIMATE, a nonpartisan program that EcoAthletes launched in 2024 to help athletes raise awareness and help make climate a priority in voters’ minds. It connected the dots between climate policy and civic engagement, giving athletes the tools and support to mobilize their teams and campuses around voting. “With so much at stake in elections, this kind of peer-led advocacy is very important. Through this initiative, EcoAthletes is empowering athletes to use their voices not just on the field, but in the voting booth – which can create essential momentum,” shared Brandon.
Brandon’s advice for anyone looking to make a similar impact is simple: Start with what you care about and what’s already around you. “You don’t need to be an expert—just be willing to ask questions, take small steps and engage with decision-makers. By learning about the challenges your institution faces and positioning sustainability as a solution, you can make a difference. Talk to teammates, join a group or connect with organizations like EcoAthletes. Use your platform, however big or small, to start conversations and get involved. Diligence and follow-through can lead to incredible opportunities and change.”
A Shared Legacy of Change
Both Alayna and Brandon are proud 2024 honorees of the BJKYLA; their sustainability work aligns with and exemplifies the values that Billie Jean King instilled throughout her career. The duo are using their platforms as student-athletes to challenge the status quo, advocate for sustainability and inspire others to take action.
“Winning the BJKYLA was a game-changer. It gave us visibility, credibility and resources to grow the EcoAthletes Collegiate Cup, which in turn has helped expand EcoAthletes’ initiatives to more schools. Long-term, I think programs like this can help make sustainability a core part of athletics nationwide,” said Brandon.
Alayna and Brandon’s work with EcoAthletes and DSAG is a testament to the potential of sports to spark large-scale change. Their efforts have already made a significant impact on Duke’s sustainability practices. Through their leadership, they are not only improving the environmental footprint of their campus but also setting an example for other student-athletes and athletic departments across the country.
“BJKYLA has helped amplify our story, hopefully inspiring other athletes to recognize their platform for impact. The scholarship has been an incredible way for us to support the work of EcoAthletes that helped get our work to a place worthy of recognition,” shared Alayna. “The BJKYLA and Beyond Sport community has introduced us to so many other inspiring leaders. It’s been rewarding to hear about other athlete stories and learn from established changemakers. It has helped me continue to look for unique ways for impact while using my bonus year as an athlete!”
The 2025 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award call for nominations is opening soon! Learn more
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