Beyond Wrestling: von Savoye Finds Growth Through ACC Experiences
By: Courtney Hicks, Duke Athletics Communications Summer Intern
DURHAM, N.C.– Student-athletes across the ACC gathered in Charlotte, North Carolina, June 24-26 for the fourth annual ACC Career Trek, a professional development event designed to connect student-athletes with industry leaders and explore career opportunities beyond college athletics.
Throughout the three-day program, participants expanded their professional networks by meeting with representatives from 12 companies, participating in six industry panels, and gaining firsthand insight into what employers value in future candidates. Through hands-on experiences, panel discussions, and networking conversations, student-athletes explored a variety of career paths while developing skills to prepare for life after graduation.
Shortly after the ACC Career Trek, the ACC Unity Tour brought student-athletes, coaches and administrators to Washington, D.C., for a leadership-focused experience centered on community engagement, collaboration and service. Participants met with policymakers, historians, and community leaders while visiting historic landmarks and exploring ways to create meaningful change within their communities.
Redshirt junior wrestler Spencer von Savoye represented Duke at both the Career Trek and the Unity Tour. As a first-generation student navigating career opportunities for the first time, he gained valuable perspectives on professional development and leadership. “Being able to have the experience to talk to those employers, hear what they’re looking for and understand what I need to do to position myself for success was really valuable for me because I didn’t have that prior knowledge and I didn’t really know where to find it either,” von Savoye said. “It gave me the push I needed to take that step, reach out to those people, build those connections and make those calls.”
While the Career Trek emphasized professional networking and career exploration, the Unity Tour offered a different outlook, encouraging participants to engage with history, public service and leadership. Student-athletes toured Washington, D.C.’s historic landmarks, met with policy leaders and participated in community outreach, giving them a chance to reflect on their roles as leaders beyond athletics. “To be able to see the Declaration of Independence, … more at … https://goduke.com/news/2026/7/29/beyond-wrestling-von-savoye-finds-growth-through-acc-experiences?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Eight Athletes, One Team Inducted Into CSC Hall of Fame
CHADRON, Neb. – Eight former Chadron State College athletes, plus the 1996 football team, will be inducted into the Eagles’ Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. The induction ceremony will take place on Friday, September 25, with doors opening at 6 p.m. and the program set to start at 7 p.m. Ticket purchase links will be available soon.
Comprising the individual CSC Hall of Fame Class of 2026 are three football players – Chance Galey, Aaron Ide and Shaine Odell – plus track and field standouts Brad Gamble and Jessica Horsley, softball players Katie Bolin Ackermann and Jamie Mazankowski Hughes and men’s wrestler Jimmy Savala.
The football players concluded their careers in 2008 after the Eagles had won 35 of 39 games during a three-year span that included three conference championships, a playoff game victory each year and a top 10 national ranking each season.
Galey, a Crawford, Nebraska native, spent three years as the starting center while the Eagles averaged 409 yards of total offense. Galey, a team captain, was both First-Team All-RMAC and Division II All-Nebraska, as well as First-Team Football Gazette and First Team Daktronics All-Region. In addition, Galey was First-Team All-RMAC Academic twice.
Ide, who hails from Holdrege, Nebraska, was a defensive tackle who took part in 110 tackles, including 16 quarterback sacks. He was First-Team All-RMAC and All-Nebraska and Second-Team All-Region as both a junior and a senior. In addition, Ide graduated with a 3.9 grade point average, was First-Team All-RMAC Academic twice and was Second-Team Academic All-American as a senior.
Odell, a defensive end from Camp Cook, S.D., joined the Eagles as a junior and started all 13 games in both 2007 and 2008. Odell had 89 tackles, 27 of them for loss, including 14 sacks over his two years as an Eagle. Odell earned First-Team All-RMAC and Second-Team All-Region during his senior season and was First-Team Academic All-District twice. Odell also was the Eagles’ heavyweight wrestler for three years, qualifying for the NCAA National Tournament in 2007.
Gamble only competed for Chadron State for one year, but made it count. … more at … https://chadroneagles.com/news/2026/7/27/general-eight-athletes-one-team-inducted-into-csc-hall-of-fame-2026.aspx?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email

