The Duke community celebrated the university's first football bowl victory since 1961 when the Pinstripe Bowl Trophy went on display for two hours Tuesday at Perkins Library.
Coach David Cutcliffe and several team players were on hand to pose for photos with fans. Duke defeated Indiana University 44-41 victory in Yankee Stadium this past December.
Above, senior In-Young Jo poses with Cutcliffe and football players AJ Wolf, Thomas Hennesy and Ben Humphreys.
Mike Ellis, an associate in research in the Department of Behavioral Medicine, snapped photos with the trophy and football team members to show to coworkers. Ellis, who has followed the Blue Devils for more than a decade, noted how excited he was for other fans and the team.
“Like many Duke fans, I suffered through many bad years, but when coach (Cutcliffe) came, it was nice to watch him turn the program around,” Ellis said. “I admire Duke for the sense of pride in the program and creating examples of what outstanding men should be.”
Historical Duke football memorabilia from the Duke University Archives accompanied the trophy, including game programs from the 1942 Rose Bowl, 1945 Sugar Bowl, 1955 Orange Bowl, and 1961 Cotton Bowl. Legendary coach Eddie Cameron’s own scrapbook from the 1945 Sugar Bowl will also be on display, containing photographs, clippings, letters, and souvenirs.
“It’s so exciting to see Duke football get recognition,” said Bobbi Earp, service desk supervisor at Perkins Library. “Everyone on the team is so sincere and down to earth and the players are so friendly. I’m so glad we’re able to celebrate this together.”
During the exhibit, President Richard H. Brodhead came by the trophy stand and posed with Cutcliffe and football players Jela Duncan (holding trophy) and Casey Blaser (photo below).
To see more photos from the event, visit an album on the library's Facebook page.
Photos by Les Todd/Duke Photography and Mark Zupan/Duke University Library. Additional reporting by Bryan Roth.
