Back when Duke was a dominant force in the ACC, running back Bob Pascal ran for over 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns in three seasons and was a first-team all-American. That time, however, was over 50 years ago.
Although the current Blue Devils have beleaguered through 11 consecutive losing seasons, Pascal still believes they can return to old, forgotten glories. And he is challenging former players and alumni to follow his belief by vowing to match any grant up to $100,000 until the fundraising for football reaches his goal of $1,000,000.
"Obviously, Duke Football has been an embarrassment to everybody," Pascal said. "But I still have faith in [head coach] Ted Roof. We're pulling for him, and he needs the help. This is a call for all former athletes to give the program a hand."
Pascal stipulated that his contributions go toward immediate improvement that will help the team win in the short term, rather than long-term capital projects.
Over the past 10 years, Duke has upgraded its facilities in order to attract top-rated recruits and keep itself on par with other ACC schools. In the late 1990s, projects such as resurfacing the playing surface in 1997 and building new entrance gates and signage in 1998 enhanced the image of Wallace Wade Stadium.
In 2002, Duke finished building the $22 million Yoh Football Center, with $5.5 million coming from Spike and Mary Yoh.
"The immediate improvements have been done, except for some small stadium issues, such as restrooms and an improved president's box," said Chris Kennedy, senior associate athletic director.
The Yoh Football Center includes, among other things, a speed and agility room, locker room, memorabilia room and coaches' offices. The new high-tech facilities, equipment and paraphernalia help attract visiting recruits.
"The locker rooms, weight rooms and video equipment are in good shape," Kennedy said. "They are huge in recruiting impressionable young 18-year-olds when they come for 48-hour visits. If you look at the facilities of the pro teams they are not as visually appealing or as nice because they do not have to attract recruits."
With the improvements, Duke has brought in better recruiting classes so far under Roof, but the Blue Devils have not yet proven themselves capable of consistently competing with other ACC schools.
Pascal said he commends Duke's efforts to bolster its facilities but believes the team needs funding in other ways other than toward building new facilities.
"You can't say enough about 22 million dollars for the Yoh building because that was an incredible feat for Duke," Pascal said. "My instructions, in as far as my contributions are concerned, are to put it into people and into situations that would start winning now, not towards additional capital improvements."
Pascal said he would like to see his money go toward hiring top-level assistants to work under Roof and allowing the coaching staff to more aggressively pursue recruits.
"We gave money in the past, which gave Roof the opportunity to fly to different places in order to see five people instead of one a day," Pascal said.
Duke currently has 12 oral commitments for the 2007-2008 season. But none of them is rated in the top 100 by rivals.com or scout.com.
Although memories of the games in which Duke rolled over ACC foes may be lost in the distant past of a half-century ago, Pascal, like other former players, firmly intends to rekindle Duke football through his off-the-field work.
"If Army and Navy can win, then we can win, too," Pascal said. "We are going after the same type of athletes and student-athletes, and eventually, we'll get the same type of athletes that we're used to."
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