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$6 Million Gift to Duke Supports Athletics During COVID and Improves Equity

DURHAM, N.C. – When the global pandemic brought a swift and sudden end to the 2020 spring athletics season, one alumnus wondered if there was anything he could do to help lessen the blow. Matt Andresen, a Duke University alumnus and member of the men's fencing team who competed in epee from 1989-93, was already concerned about the effect of COVID-19 on the university, but he was especially concerned about how this experience would affect its student-athletes.

"When the world shut down, it did not take much imagination to realize that this was going to have a profound impact on the student experience and with student-athletes," Andresen said.