NextName Athlete Spotlight: Sarah Bingham Balances Athletics, Academics, and Sustainable Design at UIUC


By Alexa Linchuck | May 9, 2024

In the realm of collegiate athletics, where sweat, dedication, and teamwork are paramount, few individuals shine as brightly as Sarah Bingham, a remarkable volleyball player at the University of Illinois. But Sarah’s story extends far beyond the volleyball court; she dives into sustainable design with equal passion and determination. For Sarah, the balancing act between athletics and academics is not simply an easy task, but more a combination of organization and passion. When asked about her approach, Sarah emphasizes the importance of organization. “Balancing athletics and academics is a challenge, but it becomes very manageable when you are organized,” she explains. Drawing parallels between her academic pursuits and her performance on the court, Sarah sets a high standard of excellence for herself, fueling her drive to continuously improve in both areas. 

Navigating the demanding schedules of training, competitions, and coursework requires more than just skill; it requires strategic time management. Sarah shares insights into her tactics, particularly during the intense season. “The hardest time to manage different schedules is always in season because we have to miss a lot of class traveling to games,” she reveals. However, through effective communication with professors, keeping up-to-date calendars, and maximizing class time for project-based work, Sarah ensures that no ball—academic or athletic—is dropped. She also credits the invaluable support of Liz Hamlet, the team academic advisor, for helping student-athletes strike the right balance. 

While Sarah’s skill on the volleyball court is inspiring, her academic journey in sustainable design adds another layer of depth to her narrative. Exploring this emerging field at the University of Illinois, Sarah dives into the interdisciplinary study of design through a sustainable lens. From architecture to urban planning, her coursework delves into diverse facets of sustainability, empowering students to pursue their passions. Sarah’s best piece of advice is to “choose a major you are passionate about! I am extremely lucky that I genuinely enjoy going to class every day, which doesn’t make doing work for it a chore.” Sarah’s dedication to sustainable design takes her beyond the limits of her campus. Immersed in the sustainable design study abroad program in Japan, she gains insights into sustainability in architecture, food, fashion, industrial design, landscape architecture, water systems, and urban planning. Students in this program, like Sarah, can find their niche they are passionate about and can “choose their electives around that and develop a senior capstone project of their choosing.” Sarah is interested in working with sustainable urban planning or going into sports through a sustainability lens. 

As an innovator in the field of sustainable design at the University of Illinois, Sarah embarks on an accelerated track, becoming the first UIUC sustainable design student to be accepted into the Bachelors in Sustainable Design/Master of Urban Planning 4+1 program. This allows her to start her master’s in urban planning during her fourth year as she also completes her undergrad, finishing with her master’s in her fifth year. This path also opens doors to the future where she can merge her passion for sustainable design with urban planning. In the accomplished journey of Sarah Bingham so far, we witness the convergence of athleticism, academics, and a commitment to sustainability. As she continues to make strides on and off the volleyball court, Sarah embodies the spirit of resilience, innovation, and unwavering dedication.

Click Here to support Sarah by purchasing her digital collectibles or favorite items in her locker section. Brands can also collaborate with Sarah to help promote their products and services.

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