College Sports Established
1878
Location
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
College Name
Duquesne University
Collegiate History
1976 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1976 - 1992, 1993 - Present / Atlantic 10 Conference
1992- 1993 / Midwestern Collegiate Conference
Nickname
Dukes - The Duquesne Dukes are one of the country's most storied collegiate athletic programs, and their nickname has a unique origin story. The name “Duke” was inspired by a local legend from Western Pennsylvania – Major General Alfred Victor du Pont. He was an American soldier who served during World War I and rose to prominence due to his bravery on the battlefields of France.
General du Pont's heroic actions earned him both the French Legion of Honor and U.S. Distinguished Service Medal for Valor, among other awards, making him an ideal namesake for Duquesne University's sports teams, founded shortly after he died in 1925. According to university lore, students wanted something that would reflect General duPont’s courage while representing their home state - thus giving birth to the "Duquesne Dukes."
Over time, this nickname has become more than words on paper; it is now synonymous with excellence and perseverance within NCAA athletics circles across America! From winning multiple Atlantic 10 Conference Championships over recent years (including men’s basketball titles), these “Dukes” have undoubtedly established themselves as formidable forces within college sports today!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1920
- 1935
- 1941
- 2009
- 2010
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The Duquesne Dukes football team wins their first game
In 1920 – The Duquesne Dukes football team wins their first game against the Pittsburgh Athletic Club. -
Duquesne Dukes basketball team wins the National Invitation Tournament (NIT)
In 1935 – The Duquesne Dukes basketball team wins the National Invitation Tournament (NIT), becoming the first team from outside New York City to win the tournament. -
Duquesne Dukes football team finished the season with an undefeated record of 7-0-1
The 1941 Duquesne Dukes football team finished the season with an undefeated record of 7-0-1. Led by head coach Elmer Layden, the team was considered one of the best in the school’s history. The Dukes opened the season with a 13-6 win over Villanova and went on to defeat Temple, Saint Vincent, Carnegie Tech, Boston College, and West Virginia. They ... -
Ron Everhart leads the team to its first postseason tournament in over a decade
In 2009, Ron Everhart, the head coach of the Duquesne Dukes men’s basketball team, led the team to its first postseason tournament in over a decade. The team received an invitation to the College Basketball Invitational (CBI), which is a single-elimination tournament featuring 16 teams not selected for the NCAA Tournament or NIT. Duquesne Dukes entered the tournament as the ... -
The Duquesne Dukes men’s basketball team wins the College Basketball Invitational championship
In 2010, the Duquesne Dukes men’s basketball team won the College Basketball Invitational championship, their first national postseason tournament championship in school history. The Dukes entered the tournament as a six seed and started their campaign by defeating Montana in the first round, and then Oregon in the quarterfinals. They advanced to the semifinals with a 72-68 win over the ...
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History of the Dukes
In recent years, Duquesne has continued its success by competing at the highest level in all its significant sports programs, including baseball, softball, soccer, and track & field. The Dukes also boast an impressive list of All-Americans across multiple disciplines, including basketball great Rasual Butler and NFL stars Antonio Brown and Aaron Donald, who attended Duquesne during their college careers.
Moreover, there is no shortage of excitement around campus when it comes time for March Madness or any other big game day! Home games draw huge crowds from all over Pittsburgh who come out decked out head-to-toe in blue & gold apparel, ready to cheer on the Dukes with pride! It's a sight to behold when these passionate fans fill up A J Palumbo Center or Rooney Field, singing fight songs while waving flags proudly throughout every exciting moment!
For those looking for more than just watching games, however, plenty of opportunities are available to get involved with various student organizations related directly to supporting our beloved athletic teams here at Duquesne University. Whether you're attending tailgates before each home game, joining spirit groups cheering from stands, or even participating in intramural tournaments, students can easily find ways to become part of what makes being a Duke fan so special!
Sports Fan Products
