Ex-Duke Standouts Push Behavior Standards For Student-Athletes

A special meeting at Cameron Indoor Stadium Monday night to reinforce the nine principles of ethical and behavioral standards was partly a reaction to a

rape investigation involving three of the school's men's lacrosse players

.

But Duke's athletic department also wanted to boost morale and give more than 600 athletes from 26 different teams something in which they could have pride. Since the rape allegations surfaced in March, the high-profile case has taken its toll on them.

Just ask Anna Grzebien, who won a national title in women's golf last season.

"As soon as I walked off the green, the first question was about the lacrosse team," Grzebien said, "the first question."

Former Duke athletes, such as NBA star Grant Hill and former football player Anthony Dilweg, were on hand to reinforce the principles, which come after much scrutiny of Duke athletes' conduct.

"I think today was a real positive," Hill said. "They all walked out feeling good about being a Duke student-athlete."

Accountability was a key point that many students, such as volleyball player Jenny Shull, walked away remembering most.

"We need to be respectable and accountable for our actions," she said.

Other athletes, as well as men's basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski, echoed that sentiment.

"You know, I don't think the university needs to strengthen its rules," Krzyzewski said. "If somebody does something wrong, you hold them accountable."

Still being a Duke athlete does mean living under public scrutiny, some said Monday night.

"I guess, in making the decision to come to Duke, we all realized that's the way it is," Hill said.