Norwich University

Duke Benz becomes the fifth honorary member of the NU Athletic Hall of Fame. A 1939 graduate of St. Lawrence University with a degree in Physical Education, Duke received his M.Ed. and M.S. in PE at the University of Colorado. He also did graduate work in History and English at Syracuse University. A versatile athlete, he competed in baseball, basketball, football, wrestling, and club hockey as an undergraduate. Dule was undefeated in four years of AAU wrestling and competed in the 1936 Olympic Trials. 
His incredible versatility as an athlete continued beyond graduation as he had a stint as a professional boxer, reached black belt status in karate, and became a PGA golf instructor. In addition, Duke has directed several camps and been a mainstay on the clinic-lecture circuit. He also was a baseball umpire (he umpired the 1976 Little League World Series) and a basketball referee. 
Duke has coached at the college level for 49 years with experience in football, boxing, wrestling, basketball, and baseball with stops at Syracuse University, the University of Colorado, Minot State, Washburn University, and Hartwick College. He also coached at the Mitchell Air Force Base in New York. Duke also served as a summer guest coach for the New York Giants.
At Norwich, Duke coached football and basketball in addition to teaching in the Physical Education Department. His 1952-1954  football and basketball teams featured Hall of Famers Sam and Dom Passalacqua, Dale Montgomery, Ed Meehan, and Charles Pulsford. Duke's 1953-1954 basketball squad set the NU record for winning percentage, finishing 19-2 (.905). His success as a coach is measured not only by his career winning records (football, .688; baseball .706; and basketball .712) but by the unswerving loyalty of his players, many of whom are here to honor him this evening.
A native of Syracuse, Duke currently resides in North Warrensburg, New York.