In the first year of the Big Sets for Little Hearts program, Duke raises more than $10,000.
In the first year of its operation, the “Big Sets for Little Hearts” program at Duke University made a substantial impact both in terms of fundraising and community engagement, raising over \$10,000 for pediatric cardiac care and research. What started as an ambitious student-athlete-led initiative soon grew into a powerful example of what can be accomplished when sports and service intersect in meaningful, intentional ways. The story of the program’s success is rooted in the values of empathy, commitment, and community, and reflects a growing trend among collegiate athletics programs that are increasingly focused not just on wins and losses, but on purpose and impact.
At the heart of the program is the connection between athletic performance and charitable giving. Specifically, Duke volleyball players committed to donating money for each “big set” — a term that refers to a set with a high number of assists or a major statistical impact — throughout their season. Teammates, fans, alumni, and supporters had the opportunity to match those donations or contribute independently, with the cumulative total directed toward supporting children with congenital heart conditions. This concept, while simple, turned out to be remarkably effective. It not only offered a tangible way to tie on-court success to off-court good, but it also gave athletes a new kind of motivation: knowing that every impressive performance had the potential to directly benefit a child in need.
The origin of “Big Sets for Little Hearts” can be traced to conversations among a few players on the Duke volleyball team who were looking for ways to make their season more meaningful. Inspired by other college and professional athletes who had leveraged their platforms for philanthropy, the group began exploring options for community outreach. One of the players had a close personal connection to pediatric cardiology, having had a sibling born with a congenital heart defect. That story galvanized the group and planted the seed for what would become a signature cause for the team. With the support of Duke Athletics and the university’s Pediatric Cardiology Department, the idea took shape, and by the time the season began, the program was officially underway.
The mechanics of the campaign involved a careful tracking of in-game stats, regular fundraising updates, and a social media effort that helped keep the momentum going throughout the season. The team posted about each qualifying “big set” on platforms like Instagram and Twitter, tagging donors and using custom hashtags to build visibility. They also shared stories of young patients and their families, highlighting how the money raised would be used. This transparency and storytelling approach helped donors feel more connected to the cause and made the process of giving more personal. There was a sense that every dollar contributed was not just going into a general fund but was part of a collective, ongoing effort to make a real difference.
As the season progressed, the players began to see the effects of their work beyond just the fundraising totals. Local families with children undergoing cardiac care reached out with messages of gratitude. Some even attended matches, meeting the team and sharing their stories in person. These encounters proved to be some of the most emotional and memorable moments of the campaign. Players spoke of how hearing firsthand from parents whose children were undergoing heart surgeries or living with chronic heart conditions gave them a new perspective and a deeper appreciation for the platform they had as athletes. What had begun as a fundraising initiative quickly evolved into a form of community building and emotional connection that no one had fully anticipated.
The \$10,000 milestone, reached just before the end of the regular season, served as a validation of the team’s hard work and creativity. It was also a signal to the wider university community that this kind of initiative could work and should be supported. The funds raised were earmarked for several key areas, including patient family support, medical equipment purchases, and research into innovative treatments. Pediatric cardiologists at Duke spoke publicly about the impact of the campaign, praising the volleyball team for their leadership and noting that the ripple effects of their generosity would be felt for months and even years to come.
While the total amount raised is certainly impressive, perhaps even more noteworthy is how the “Big Sets for Little Hearts” campaign managed to inspire other groups across Duke Athletics to consider similar programs. Already, discussions have begun among teams in other sports about how they might use their own unique stats — such as goals, assists, steals, or saves — to raise money for causes they care about. There is talk of creating a university-wide initiative that would formalize the model pioneered by the volleyball team, giving student-athletes more tools and support to turn their performance into philanthropy.
One of the key takeaways from the campaign’s first year is the importance of leadership, both from within the team and from the institution. Coaches played a significant role in encouraging and enabling the players to pursue this initiative, and athletic department administrators ensured that the program received the visibility and logistical support it needed to succeed. The partnership with Duke’s medical community also proved invaluable, lending credibility to the effort and offering clear avenues for how the money would be used. In many ways, the success of the campaign can be attributed to this alignment — a shared vision among athletes, educators, and medical professionals who recognized the potential of the project and worked together to bring it to life.
There is also something to be said about the timing and cultural context in which “Big Sets for Little Hearts” launched. In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the mental and emotional maturity of student-athletes, as well as their ability to lead social and charitable initiatives. Programs like Duke’s are part of a broader shift in how colleges view athletics — not just as entertainment or a route to professional sports, but as a formative experience that can help shape responsible, engaged citizens. The volleyball team’s effort stands as a testament to this evolving model, demonstrating that young athletes are more than capable of conceptualizing, executing, and sustaining programs that have real-world impact.
Looking forward, the future of the “Big Sets for Little Hearts” program seems bright. Plans are already underway to expand the campaign in its second year, with goals to raise even more money and to involve a larger network of supporters. There are also discussions about incorporating other events — such as clinics, speaking engagements, and hospital visits — to deepen the connection between the athletes and the families they are helping. These additions would not only enrich the program but also provide more avenues for players to engage directly with the community they are serving.
The long-term potential of the program extends beyond Duke. Other schools have taken notice of the campaign and reached out to learn more, indicating a growing interest in replicating the model at other institutions. If “Big Sets for Little Hearts” continues to grow and inspire similar efforts elsewhere, it could mark the beginning of a new era in college sports — one where philanthropy and athletic excellence go hand in hand, and where performance metrics are not just statistics on a page, but catalysts for change.
In the end, what makes the success of this program so remarkable is the way it bridges seemingly disparate worlds — the high-stakes, competitive arena of college athletics and the tender, life-altering world of pediatric medicine. That bridge is built on the simple yet profound idea that every act of strength, every moment of teamwork, and every ounce of effort on the court can be leveraged to lift up those in need. In the case of Duke Volleyball and their “Big Sets for Little Hearts” campaign, it’s clear that when athletes put their hearts into service, the results can be truly extraordinary. With more than \$10,000 raised in just one year, the team has not only set the bar high for what student-led initiatives can achieve but has also opened the door to a new kind of legacy — one that will be measured not just in wins and titles, but in lives touched and futures made a little bit brighter.
