The Duquesne Dukes have built a strong reputation in NCAA athletics, with celebrated achievements in Duquesne Dukes basketball and Duquesne Dukes football. Competing at the Division I level, the Dukes are known for their competitive spirit, historic rivalries, and a loyal fan base that continues to support them across every season.
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.
Duquesne Dukes Origin
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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Duquesne Dukes History
The Duquesne Dukes have a deeply rooted legacy in American college athletics, particularly through their rivalry with the St. Joseph’s Hawks. Founded in the late 19th century, Duquesne University has produced outstanding athletes and sustained strong programs. From Duquesne Dukes basketball to Duquesne Dukes football, the Dukes are known for resilience, tradition, and moments of national impact.
Duquesne Dukes basketball rose to prominence in the mid-20th century. The program claimed the 1955 NIT championship, defeating Dayton in the final, and regularly competed among top teams in the National Invitation Tournament. Duquesne also made deep runs in NCAA tournaments, including a Final Four appearance in 1940. Over time, the Dukes have survived conference changes and periods of rebuilding, yet have maintained fan support and competitive expectation.
Duquesne Dukes football likewise has a varied history. The Dukes began playing football in the early 1900s, went through periods of discontinuation, and later re-emerged at different levels including Division III and eventually into the FCS (Football Championship Subdivision). Duquesne won notable postseason bowl games in the pre-modern era (e.g. Festival of Palms Bowl, Orange Bowl). The Dukes also claimed numerous conference titles since rejoining scholarship/open competition, especially in the Northeast Conference, under strong coaching eras.
Beyond these two marquee sports, Duquesne has succeeded in other athletic areas, producing All-Americans, standout alumni, and maintaining strong fan traditions. Rush to Palumbo Center or Rooney Field for a home game often shows how the Duquesne Dukes unite students, alumni, and Pittsburgh sports fans behind the blue and red.
Dukes Achievements
In Duquesne Dukes basketball, highlights include winning the 1955 NIT championship, securing multiple NIT appearances, and reaching the NCAA Tournament several times, most recently in 2024 when the Dukes earned their first NCAA Tournament win in decades. duquesne’s men’s basketball has also won regular season and tournament crowns in the Atlantic 10 and set program records in wins, national rankings, and player honors.
In Duquesne Dukes football, major achievements include pre-modern bowl wins, such as the 1934 Festival of Palms Bowl and the 1937 Orange Bowl. In recent decades, the Dukes have won numerous conference championships in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) and the Northeast Conference (NEC), and qualified for the FCS playoffs multiple times (2015, 2018, 2023). The program has also developed NFL/professional talent while balancing its role as a strong academic institution.
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