Duke's men's and women's soccer teams are launching the Kicks for Kids initiative to support therapy dog programs at Duke Children's. This new partnership aims to provide emotional support to cancer patients by leveraging soccer statistics to raise pledge donations. In the 2025 season, the men's team recorded 634 combined stats, while the women's team amassed 826. Pledges begin at $0.10, with potential earnings ranging from $63.40 to $3,650. Fans can also make one-time donations to aid in this cause.

By the Numbers
  • Men's soccer total stats in 2025: 634
  • Women's soccer total stats in 2025: 826
  • Pledge amounts range from $0.10 to $2.50
Yes, But

While the initiative supports a vital cause, the reliance on sports performance for fundraising may raise concerns about the pressure on athletes to perform during the season. Balancing community engagement with competitive excellence can be a challenge.

State of Play
  • Women鈥檚 team will play exhibition matches on Aug. 5 and Aug. 8.
  • Men鈥檚 team begins exhibition play on Aug. 8 and starts regular season on Aug. 20.
What's Next

As the soccer season commences, ongoing donations and community engagement are expected to grow. Increased visibility from matches may encourage more pledges, directly impacting Duke Children's therapy programs.

Bottom Line

The Kicks for Kids initiative presents a unique opportunity to merge sports with philanthropy, enhancing support for cancer patients while boosting community involvement in Duke athletics. It's a chance for fans to directly impact a worthy cause through their team's performance.