*OPINION PIECE* BUMMER

  Dukes Chat usually speaks of only positive news concerning Duquesne University Athletics, but a comment on Dukes Football's recent loss to Iona College deserves some words.
  In no way is the quest for a ninth straight Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship over. After all, Iona defeated the Dukes in 2006 as well, only to blow the championship late in the year. And give credit to the Dukes for rebounding that season to earn a share of the crown despite that loss -- its toughest, really, of the program's NCAA Division I-AA tenure. Upsets happen.
  But with all due to respect to the 2007 Dukes -- they're still a good team -- this was no upset. Iona is better right now.
  Of course, the Gaels don't have as much going for them future-wise as Duquesne does, but that means nothing in 2007.
  Here's hoping that the Dukes can shake this off like they did last year, but again, they'll need some help.
  For now, what a bummer.

(Image: Duquesne University Football Championship Banner, Copyright Duquesne University)

*OPINION PIECE* A Major Step Forward for ALL Teams

  Duquesne University Athletics has announced a partnership with adidas that makes the apparel company the official sponsor of the Dukes.
  Ron Everhart, Suzie McConnell-Serio, Shawn James, Derron Thomas, permanent seating for Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field, scholarship football and the multi-purpose recreational center have all been tremendous additions for Duquesne Athletics. Each speaks volumes about how seriously the university is taking athletics.
  But while the new additions have been improvements mostly for basketball and football, the deal with adidas -- which will provide footwear, uniforms and other apparel to all 20 Dukes varsity teams -- is great for the non-revenue/"Olympic" sports at the university as well.
  For Duquesne's teams that lack the funding that the football and basketball teams have, something that this deal is MAJOR, MAJOR news. Teams like women's cross country and wrestling will now have free adidas gear at their disposal and will be even more closely aligned with Duquesne's marquee squads.
  A Duke has always been a Duke, and each Duquesne team wears the red and blue. But now each team will look even more alike, and because each team's uniforms will come from adidas, they will also all have the same benefit -- the overall improved image of Duquesne Athletics.

(Image: adidas Logo, Copyright adidas)

Last Countdown (for a While) -- Top Ten Coaches in Duquesne Athletics History

  In a few short days, Dukes Chat will unveil the latest of its countdowns -- the Top Ten Coaches in Duquesne Athletics History.
  This will be the last of the Dukes Chat countdowns for a while.
  Stay tuned.

(Image: Cartoon Whistle, Copyright Discovery Education)

*OPINION PIECE* No. 1 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1954-55 Men's Basketball - Surely to spark no debate, Dukes Chat announces that this team is undoubtedly the greatest in Duquesne Athletics History.
  The rationale for doing so is simple. The National Invitation Tournament in 1955 was the equivalent of today's NCAA Division I Championship. Led by All-American Sihugo Green and finishing with a 22-4 record and a No. 6 Associated Press ranking, this team took the 1955 NIT title, and no Duquesne sports team has won an NCAA championship at the highest level before or since. Therefore, this team achieved more than any other sports team in Duquesne University history.
  Basketball, particularly men's basketball, is the premiere sport at Duquesne. It has been this way since World War II, and this team did more than its part to drive this notion home.
  The future of Duquesne Basketball, and Duquesne Athletics in general -- not coincidentally -- seems incredibly bright. This team, in some way, is to thank for that. The new Multipurpose Recreational Center, the soon-to-be-new permanent grandstand seating around Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field and the hiring of Ron Everhart are all steps that Duquesne University has taken to try to recapture the athletic glory of its past, highlighted, of course, by the 1955 NIT champions.

(Image: Retired Sihugo Green Jersey, Copyright Duquesne University)

*OPINION PIECE* No. 2 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1939-40 Men's Basketball - Though Duquesne University would often turn down bids to play in the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship to compete in the more prestigious (at the time) National Invitation Tournament, during this season, the Dukes participated in both.
  Though, they certainly did a lot more than just participate. Duquesne Men's Basketball reached the Final Four of both the NCAA and NIT Tournaments in 1940 -- advancing all the way to the championship game of the NIT.
  Duquesne University is one of the first two schools to participate in both tournaments in the same season. (The other team -- University of Colorado at Boulder Men's Basketball -- played in both in 1940 as well.)
  The Dukes overall record in the 1939-40 season was a tremendous 20-3.

[Image: Paul Widowitz (left) in 1940, Copyright Duquesne University]

*OPINION PIECE* No. 3 Greatest Team in Duquesne Athletics History

1941 Football - The only apparent reason that Duquesne University went uninvited to a college football bowl game this season was that most schools were simply afraid to lose to the Dukes. In this way, it's unfortunately clear that a lot about scheduling in college football hasn't changed.
  The 1941 Dukes Gridders get the nod over the Orange Bowl-winning team of the 1936 season as Duquesne's best football team because of their awesome and sometimes bar none accomplishments.
  In 1941, Duquesne went undefeated and untied (8-0-0) and earned a No. 8 Associated Press national ranking. But even more impressively, the Dukes led nation in scoring defense, rushing defense and total defense in '41.

(Image: Current NCAA Football Logo, Copyright National Collegiate Athletic Association)

USA Today Article About the Future of the FCS Playoffs

Read here.

Should the New Permanent Seating Be Named?

  With Duquesne University Athletics announcing that construction on the soon-to-be-new permanent seating to line Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field will begin once the 2007 football season is over, the question is begged: Should this permanent seating be named after someone from Duquesne Athletics' colorful past? If so, then who?
  Should the overall facility simply remain as "Arthur J. Rooney Athletic Field"? Perhaps it should be changed to "Arthur J. Rooney Stadium." What about "Greg Gattuso Grandstand"? Or something honoring new Duquesne Athletics Hall of Fame honoree John Rosato? Does this have to be football-specific?
  Please share your thoughts. If you are unsure how to do so, simply click on the "_ comments" link below this post.