Kuhn Creating Lasting Impact Beyond Volleyball

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. -- As a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference Autonomy Committee last season, Wake Forest volleyball student-athlete Caroline Kuhn got to travel to Amelia Island, Florida.

While there, Kuhn provided input on important issues facing collegiate athletics, which included name, image and likeness, and she spent time forging strong friendships with other student-athletes from across the conference. Additionally, she had the chance to meet coaches from other schools such as Clemson's Dabo Swinney and Virginia's Tony Bennett.

Although the event this year was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the work of this committee has continued virtually.

"It was disappointing to not see my friends from across the conference this semester," Kuhn said. "But I have a lot of gratitude for our administration and coaches within this atmosphere. I have learned a lot and I am really proud of everything that's been accomplished despite the circumstances."

Kuhn became the first Wake Forest representative on the committee, and has served on the Deacs' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee since her freshman year.

"It's been so incredibly rewarding for a lot of different reasons," she said. "I'm just thankful for Ashley (Wechter) and the folks in Student-Athlete Development for getting me involved in SAAC as a freshman. Although I was young and did not know what it was, they suggested I put my name in the bucket to be an autonomy rep.

"I've gotten to meet so many other incredible student-athletes from across the conference and have been able to develop great relationships with them. We talk in our group chat almost every day."

Knowing that the voice of student-athletes is heard both at the institution and conference level is important to Kuhn.

"The student-athlete voice is valued at an administrative level more than I ever would have thought when I first started out as a freshman," she said. "I underestimated how fortunate and blessed I've been for this opportunity. I've learned so much about all the work that goes on behind the scenes for creating policies to support student-athletes. I have a much better understanding of what helps a Power 5 conference survive and thrive. I can't explain how grateful I feel to witness firsthand just how much these people care about our wellbeing and their universities."

Wake Forest volleyball coach Randi Smart has been impressed with the way Kuhn has evolved as a complete student-athlete during her time at Wake Forest.

"The leadership that she has grown into speaks volumes," Smart said. "She was picked for the autonomy board because of the person she is. She came in prepared, knew what was going on and was informed. You can see her confidence grow each year. She speaks her mind, but isn't afraid to hear others' opinions. She develops friendships and trust. She's really come into her own the last couple years. You can really see it."

Smart, who calls Caroline by her nickname "CK", is proud of her work with the ACC Autonomy Committee.

"CK comes into the office and is genuinely excited to talk about what's going on," Smart said. "Once she gets past the excitement, she cuts to the core of things. CK has learned so much and is in tune with the name, image and likeness issues, gender issues, and all the hot-topic items that are transpiring right now in the NCAA. She's having a great time being a part of it."

Playing in 84 of 105 sets as a junior, Kuhn contributed 197 kills, 10 service aces, 46 digs and 21 blocks for the Demon Deacons.

"Physically, she's battled through some things," Smart said. "I have to hold her back at times, because she wants to do everything. She would put this team on her shoulders and carry them if she could. She's come so far since her freshman season."

Like most Wake Forest student-athletes, Kuhn is excited about a return to normal, so she can join her teammates and focus on the season ahead.

"The most challenging thing for me hasn't been staying motivated to workout," she said. "I've gotten creative. In my apartment I have these two big water jugs I've been using for dumbbells. My two biggest takeaways from quarantine are that you really only can control the controllables — there's so much that out of our control right now. Then the second thing is gratitude, especially for the little things.

"Being grateful for the good things that do come on a daily basis has helped keep me anchored."

Wake Forest Athletics

Related News

Players Mentioned

Caroline Kuhn

Related Videos