Part II on Kyrie Irving – His AAU coach Sandy Pyonin and Clark Francis discuss his game

This photo is courtesy and property of the NJ Star
This photo is courtesy and property of the NJ Star

Here is the second part of BDN's coverage of the Pitt Jam Fest and Duke prospect Kyrie Irving by Andrew Slater.  Sandy Pyonin is the energetic head of the New Jersey Roadrunners, has taught and coached at the high school level, and trained thirty-one former and current NBA players. Some of his former players include Randy Foye and Al Harrington, as well as two former Duke players that have had their jerseys retired, Bobby Hurley and Jason Williams. One of Coach Pyonin’s current players is Kyrie Irving, the 6’2” St. Patrick’s guard and Duke recruit. He spoke with Blue Devil Nation about his star pupil and how Kyrie Irving compares to some of his former greats.

Clark Francis began publishing Hoop Scoop magazine in 1983. He has watched his scouting service grow and morph into one of the largest and most well-known in the country. Francis also chimed in with his thoughts on Duke recruit Kyrie Irving.

Blue Devil Nation:
Can you talk briefly about Kyrie Irving as player and as a person?

Sandy Pyonin: First of all, he’s a great person. He comes from a great family. His family is super nice…a very bright family. His father went to BU...Boston University. He played basketball there. His father taught him most everything that he has learned. He’s played for me for the last two summers. I’ve had thirty-one NBA players. Kyrie has a great work ethic. It would be on par with an Al Harrington, who I trained. He couldn’t make lay-ups as a sophomore, but went from high school directly to the NBA. Kyrie loves to play basketball. He works at the game continuously to get better at different facets of the game. He’s going to Saint Patrick’s and so he’s getting ongoing training from Kevin Boyle. He’s still growing and so he’s 6’2” now and he could very well wind up at 6’4” or 6’5.” [private]

BDN:
His father is 6’4”

SP: Yes, his father is 6’4” and Kyrie is only sixteen. Oh, wait, he just turned seventeen

Blue Devil Nation: Can you compare him to some of the great players you’ve ever had?

Sandy Pyonin: I mean I’ve had 31 NBA players. I had Randy Foye. He’s probably the best guard I ever had. I’ve had Bobby Hurley. I had David Rivers if you want to go back. I had Brevin Knight. Just trying to think of other point guards. I had Shaheen Holloway.

BDN: Now at Iona

SP: I don’t want to leave anyone else out. Each of those players brought something to different to the table. He still has to improve on leadership and improve on defense. Well, improve on every aspect of his game, but.. the sky is the limit for him. The sky is his limit. He could be as good as any of them…at least as good.

Blue Devil Nation:
Do you view him as a point guard or a combo guard?


Sandy Pyonin:
I think he’ll be a great point guard, but because he can shoot the ball so well he can play combo…so he can do both. I want him to play point guard for us and work on his leadership ability because I think that’s where his future is for us…at point…specially if he has the intention of going into the NBA someday.

Blue Devil Nation: From when he last played for you, how has he improved and changed in the current school year?

Sandy Pyonin: At first, I think he was really just trying to find his way. He was at a new school and with a new situation and he came on strong at the end of the season, but, to be honest with you, he was at that level last summer towards the end and he will pick up from there now and probably be three times better now that he’s been through that. He’s back with us and you see he has more of a role with us. He takes much more of a leadership role with us. There he had those guys that were in place. Now he will have that role for them next year at St. Pat’s, but he has that role for us right now.

Blue Devil Nation:
As a professional trainer, what are some things that you’d like Kyrie to work on physically over the coming months?

Sandy Pyonin: Obviously, he’s got great agility, as you will see tonight, when he plays. I think his jumping will improve and he can really jump. He’s dunking more consistently than he did last summer. That’s for sure. As far as other improvements, yeah, he’s got to get stronger. He’s got to consistently hit the weight room. We’ve already discussed that, when I spoke with his father the other day.

BDN: Where would he work on his strength specifically?

SP: Locally. I mean we have great people around that can work with him on that aspect.

Blue Devil Nation: I wasn’t sure if you’d work with him on that aspect.

Sandy Pyonin: No, I don’t really work with him on that. My thing…I mean I lift myself, but I don’t. I’m aware of the importance of lifting and strength, but I pretty much restrict myself to the other aspects. I try to lift the kids to a higher level in terms of skill wise as a basketball player and talent, but I try to work with them on the mental aspect game as well. Get them to concentrate on the mental aspect of the game. I’m really big on that, where other…well, most other coaches don’t emphasize that enough.

Blue Devil Nation: You mentioned before that you really wanted him to work on his leadership ability.
Sandy Pyonin: Yes, all through this summer. You know just guys like Randy Foye will spend some time with him…and Al Harrington will be around the program. Although Al isn’t a guard, he has guard skills. He also has great knowledge.

BDN: He’s also the sponsor of the team.
SP: Yes, Al helps sponsor the team for the most part and he‘s around the team, which is great. Now that he’s with the Knicks, he’ll be around our program even more. He may even sit in on the bench. Al’s just been great.

Blue Devil Nation: Can you talk about Kyrie Irving, including his potential as well, as his strengths and weaknesses?

Clark Francis: Kyrie Irving has unbelievable potential. I don’t think he’s a pure point guard at this point. He scores so well and he can be a top five player in this class. I don’t know that he’s a top ten or fifteen or even twenty player at this point. I think he’s really more of a two than a one right now because he has such a scorer’s mentality and again, when I saw him, it may not be fair to judge him. When I saw him, he had only just come back for a couple of weeks. When he was playing for St. Pat’s in early February…when he was playing on the thirteenth and fourteenth of February in those two tournaments...so, you know, that’s why we’re here.

You know… to see what happens. I hear he plays better playing with Sandy, but, you know, we’ll see. I mean talent wise, athleticism-wise, etc. his potential is off the hook. I mean if he grows another inch or two then that’s scary too. I mean he could very well wind up being 6’4” to 6’5” and maybe not be a pure point guard, but a scoring point guard, where he could make a lot of money in the NBA. I mean he could step right in and run my team. I mean let’s say if I have four super players at somebody like Kentucky and I can get him,  he’d be great at point guard. If I’ve got a couple of weaknesses or height problems and I need him to do a few things in order to make the people around him better, than he may not be the answer, but we’ll see.

He’s got to be careful to pick the right spot. To be the best player that he can be…to highlight what he does…to get drafted as high as possible… his college decision on who he plays for…I mean being in a wide-open system where he has other great players around him, that’s going to be most important for him. If he goes to some place where they play half-court and just throw the ball down and not utilize what he does best, well, they’re going to have problems. I mean he still will be one of the better players the country in college basketball, but will he be as…um

Blue Devil Nation:
Able to maximize his potential?

Clark Francis: Yes, and that’s a good question. I mean you watch a guy play one, two, maybe three or four games and you can make a mistake. If you see a guy thirty or forty times, as I hope to see him over the next year or so, well than I’ll probably have a lot better feel for him. Right now, I’ve only seen him maybe a couple of times at the Bob Gibbons tournament and a couple of times in January and February. Optimally, it’ll be a lot more than that, but well see

Blue Devil Nation:
How do you feel about his defense, as an on-the-ball defender?

Clark Francis: Okay, not great, but could be a great defender if he wants to be. I mean, with his athleticism and good core attitude, he can be great at as well.

Talk about this article on the Blue Devil Nation Premium message board.  There you will find much more information on John Wall and the latest recruiting happenings which cannot be found on the main board.  Having trouble getting on the message board?  Contact Mark at watzonebdp@gmail.com[/private]

Blue Devil Nation Premium – In depth interview with Duke prospect Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving, Perlman, Star Ledger
Kyrie Irving, Perlman, Star Ledger

During the past year, Kyrie Irving has become one of the most coveted recruits in the country through his play at Saint Patrick’s of Elizabeth, New Jersey. Irving cut down his list of  suitors from over thirty-five programs to a more workable ten, including the Duke Blue Devils. Over the weekend, the 6’2” guard played in his first major AAU tournament since winning the state title and did nothing but enhance his stock through his deft shooting, improved athleticism, and the opportunity to take the reins as a point guard in leading his New Jersey Roadrunners to a 3-1 mark, while averaging nearly 26 points per game. During the tournament, Blue Devil Nation caught up with Kyrie again to cover a variety of topics.

Blue Devil Nation: You made first team all-state and the Celtics won the state title. Was it about as smooth a transition as you could have hoped for?

Kyrie Irving: The transition to St. Patrick’s?

BDN: Yes

KI: It was a learning experience, you know, as a player and as a person. Looking up to Dexter (Strickland) and Paris (Bennett) everyday. Going out there in practice and just working very hard.

BDN: Well, you went 19-1 with you out there. It couldn’t have gone much better on the court.

KI: I definitely went through some ups and downs during this season, but it was a learning experience. I love it.

Blue Devil Nation: You cut your suitors down to ten programs. How did you come to the decision and what’s your current timeline? To read the rest of this in depth interview, join Blue Devil Nation Premium -[private]

Kyrie Irving: I just sat there and thought about the coaching staffs and how I felt about them and whether or not I could see myself playing there…and if I felt I wanted to visit there and stuff like that.

BDN: You felt you needed to cut it down to something more manageable.

KI: I definitely needed to cut it down.

BDN: So you thought thirty-five was a little too much..

KI: (laughing) Yeah, I just needed to think about the coaching staffs and handle it from there.

Blue Devil Nation: What aspects of your game can you work on during the AAU season that you cannot work on at St. Patrick’s? How does it differ? You seemed a lot more aggressive tonight than you have during the high school season, but they needed you to be tonight.

Kyrie Irving: Well, I mean the rumor is that I’m more of a combo guard, which people list me as, but my primary position is as  a one. I’m a point guard first.

BDN: I was trying to track it amongst other things, but you brought up the ball roughly seventy percent of the time you were on the court (this would increase significantly as the tournament went along).

KI: Yeah, exactly, I mean Sandy just lets me get ball and start the offense. He lets me work on my game…different aspects that  I want to keep working on…like refining my mid-range game.

Blue Devil Nation: Well, since you brought up shooting, how do you assess your shooting right now in all aspects? Long-range, pull-ups, floaters, driving the lane, and the one you just touched on, your mid-range game… You were hitting your threes consistently tonight.

Kyrie Irving: Well, I shot very well tonight. I’m also trying to work on finishing inside against the best near the basket. I think my range is pretty decent right now, but I mean just my in-between game right now.

BDN: You’re trying to work on it now amidst game situations.

KI: Yeah, the fact is I work on it all the time, but, in the game, it’s just different.

Blue Devil Nation: How did you decide on the Roadrunners and what’s your relationship like with Sandy Pyonin?

Kyrie Irving: Well, like before I started getting recruited and before people started to know me…I was with Sandy since my freshman summer...playing with guys like Corey and Keon Lawrence

BDN: I saw you with Justin Crosgile.

KI: Yeah, that’s like my right-hand man right there so I was just playing with him since the sixteen and under and then it just exploded basically.

BDN: Do you think it was just a matter of exposure combined with some improved play? Or do you feel you were always this good? You don’t have to be humble this time if you feel you were always around this level (laughs).

KI: (laughs) Yeah, I was around this level basically.

Blue Devil Nation: Which camps do you plan on attending this year?

Kyrie Irving: I’m going to the NBA camp.  Then, I’m going to the Deron Williams Camp and the LeBron James camp…and there are a couple of other ones, but I’m not sure just yet.

BDN: What about tournaments?
KI: We’re going to Bob Gibbons and to Vegas that I know of.

BDN: Has Coach Boyle talked to you about how he plans on utilizing you next season? Will you be playing more off the ball next year or on?
KI: I’m going to be doing both.  I’ll be a scoring point guard.

Blue Devil Nation: Despite the exposure that playing at a national power like St. Patrick’s, before you arrived, did you ever have any concerns over being overshadowed or overlooked by playing with other quality players, as opposed to staying at MKA, where you would continue to be the main guy and put up massive numbers?  Not necessarily intimidation, but apprehension perhaps?

Kyrie Irving: (pause) At first, I did. I did feel it at first. I looked up to Dexter Strickland before I got there. I was always like wow, but the transition went cool so I mean just playing against the best and

BDN: By the way, I didn’t mean to offend you in any way by the question.

KI: Nah, nah, it’s all right. I can honestly say I was like a fan of Dexter’s and I admired everything about him. Everybody was always taking about ‘Dexter this and Dexter that’ and all of the camps that he was going to that never considered me. After I got to know everybody, everything was fine.

BDN: What was the highlight of the season for you? The title game? Your coming out party against St. Benedict’s?
KI: Winning the state title definitely… That was the best, particularly as a junior

Blue Devil Nation: Winning the state title. Can you talk about that game?

Kyrie Irving: That game…that game I put on a show also. I had twenty-six points and fun out there. The seniors…it was their last game. To top it all off, it was my birthday.
You turned seventeen that day.
Yes.

BDN: In your view, what are some of the benefits of playing AAU basketball?

KI: Playing against the best and the travel. I love to travel.

Blue Devil Nation: Let me ask a few questions that the posters were wondering about. Are you leaning towards any school at this point, specifically Indiana?

Kyrie Irving: No, not at all.

BDN: Another poster was wondering what position you would play in college? Would a “scoring point” be a more apt description than a “combo guard” at this point?

KI: I would say that, yeah, definitely.

Blue Devil Nation: Can you talk about your relationship with Rod Strickland? People have written that he’s a “cousin,” a family friend, and even an “uncle.”

Kyrie Irving: He’s a close friend of my family.

BDN: Can you assess your play so far in the tournament.?

KI: It’s been good. Our team is playing well and we’re just getting our chemistry together.

Blue Devil Nation: I wrote down your ten schools. Can you just briefly go through each of your ten finalists? If you could just briefly go over why you chose the specific program, that’d be helpful.

Kyrie Irving: Oh, okay. Yeah, sure

BDN: Indiana?

KI: Coach Crean and Coach McLeod. I have a great relationship with both of them. Notre Dame is because I have a great relationship with Coach Brey and Coach Solomon, er, Thomas.

BDN: Solomon

KI: Solomon and Coach Brey wants me to visit out there.

BDN: Texas A&M?

KI: They were the first to offer me. It was in the summer of my ninth grade year.

Blue Devil Nation: Florida?

Kyrie Irving: I went down there for Nationals and it was just great and they came to every game. Seton Hall is because their a local school. You know close to home. And Duke. (pause) You know, I…I mean Duke to me is really big. I mean especially where I’m coming from, which was nowhere. They’re great.

BDN: How about Georgia Tech?

KI: Coach Hewitt… he’s been great. He relates…he relates to my dad a lot. They have a good relationship.

Blue Devil Nation: What about Pitt, the home school for this tournament?

Kyrie Irving: I’m really just getting to know them, but I mean Ashton (Gibbs) is one of my boys.

BDN: Do you view this as an unofficial visit to Pitt?

KI: No, no I can’t.

BDN: Maryland?
KI: Maryland was because Coach Williams and Coach Eisen (Ehsen) came to see me during my sophomore summer, but it was brief.

BDN: And Marquette?

KI: I’ve watched them since Tom Crean was there and Coach Williams then. Coach Williams, right?

BDN: Yeah

KI: He became the coach and than I just related from there.

Blue Devil Nation: You talked in the past about making trips to Memphis and Indiana, do you have any unofficial trips planned for the spring or some that you’re hoping to make but haven‘t yet scheduled?

Kyrie Irving: Oh, yeah. On the 28th and 29th, I’m going to Texas A&M on an unofficial and in the future I’m going to Indiana and Notre Dame.

BDN: Okay, and that’s it for the schedule at this time.

KI: That’s it.

BDN: Thank you.

KI: No problem. [/private]

Duke Basketball Recruiting Update – Barnes, Wall, Irving, McCallum, Bledsoe and more

misc-challenge-0652Before we get to the latest recruiting information, let me tell you what's coming to Blue Devil Nation Premium this week.  We'll have an informative interview with Harrison Barnes and comments from one of his AAU coaches.  BDN's Andrew Slater was on the scene at the Pittsburgh Jam Fest.  Slater will have the latest, including interviews with Kyrie Irving, Ray McCallum and more.  Both of us will offer scouting reports on prospects we see firsthand this week as well.  Then there is some hot information on visits, but you have to be a member to see that.

Here is the latest on the recruiting trail from BDN, a source you can trust.  [private] Duke is very high on Kyrie Irving and that's why Andrew was scoping him out this weekend.  Irving is moving up the ratings as I type and he has already listed the Blue Devils on his list of ten schools.  Duke Assistant Coach Chris Collins will visit Irving this week and there may be an unofficial visit in the future - we'll keep you posted on that.

Another guard prospect Slater interviewed this weekend is Ray McCallum.  This youngster has a lot of schools on him and if you have read our past update you have a good idea of his capabilities.  It's no secret that Duke is now going after athletic guards and the staff is determined to get one or two in the fold in the class of 2010.  Coach Collins will also take time to visit McCallum this week, so make no mistake in that Duke is very active on the recruiting trail.

BDN's best wishes for a speedy recovery go out to Steve Wojciechowski who recently tore his ACL.  The injury will cause Wojo to be on the mend and off the recruiting road show for a good while.  This means that head of basketball operations, Chris Spatola will take his place.  Spatola will be looking at some of the states younger players and will check out some action in Virginia as well.

Don't freak out that Chris Carrawell wasn't the choice, for he is a notch behind Spatola in the chain of command.  Both will one day be assistant coaches.  CWell will once again participate in the James-Carawell, where donations from Duke fans helped me send three underprivileged kids that I work with to the camp last season.

Everybody keeps asking on the message board whether Duke still has interest in Eric Bledsoe.  Well, the answer is yes, despite the fact that another site says he has a final four which does not include Duke.  In fact, Duke Assistant Coach, Nate James will be heading south to visit Bledsoe this week as well as some young prospects.  Either James or Spatola will visit Luke Cothron, likely James.

Duke is trying to get a feel for some of the youngsters in the 2011 class so they will know who to track come July when they are allowed to go to camps.  Yes, the camp availability is a bit more stringent this year, see the link from the NCAA on the message board if you are curious.

Then there is the continuing recruitment of the talented John Wall.  I am going to give you my speculation on what I feel is happening at "the moment."  I feel N.C. State is out despite being listed and that Miami is on the outside looking in as well.  I would in no way be shocked if Wall cancels his Miami visit.  His visit to Miami is set for this Friday and may last until Sunday.  Baylor seems the long shot as well, but of course I am pretty much repeating myself with all of the above.  Of late, Wall has added Oregon back.

Kansas has made a push but with their PG returning and the distance, I feel Wall will not be a Jayhawk.  Then there is "Dart gun," Billy Donovan who crept into the Wall home only to fly to Portland to meet with Wall in a motel room. That meeting was set up by Clifton who continues to listen to overtures.   Well, Billy has already used that dart gun trick with Kenny Boynton, so he'll have to reach deeper into the bag of tricks this time. Wait a minute!  Kenny Boynton and John Wall in the same back court?  One basketball is simply not enough for these two players and neither of them is going to take a backseat.  Could this mean that Wall stays in state like Boynton?

I also find it a bit interesting that rivals are doing their best to sway Wall away.  Florida comes rolling in when Kentucky becomes a player and North Carolina and Roy Williams would do anything to push Wall anywhere but Durham.  Both Florida and North Carolina have got into this race late - too late in my opinion.  If you put a gun to my head asking which one of these teams could weasel their way closer, I would go with UNC for the location.  Still , no secret that Roy and UNC dissed Wall for the longest time and his camp is not too happy about that.

That brings us to the two real players, this of course being my opinion.  Duke is trying to set up a visit with Wall before the contact period is over.  The Blue Devils made some major in roads and there are plenty of positives for both Wall and Duke should he end up in Durham.  The Duke staff hopes staying close to home and honesty wins out.  Of all the Wall suitors, Duke has pretty much backed up what they said and stayed straight up.

Duke could also start quite a pipeline for D-One Sports and Brian Clifton, but then again so could Kentucky.  Make no mistake there are some deep pockets in the deep south and they tend to let it be known in one way or another that there are "opportunities," to be had.  That's as nice as I could put it.  Like Duke, Kentucky needs a point guard and Calipari will try to sell Wall that he is a one and done specialist.

If Jodie Meeks comes back, Wall better hope he gets some shots, but UK can sell him better should he remain in the draft.  Personally, I don't see Meeks as a first rounder.  I told you a good bit back Patrick Patterson would cast his name and I feel he stays in.  I could go into all the prospects who are trying to sell John at various schools but that really isn't going to make that big of a difference.

Duke has put points in the pro's in Hurley, Williams and Duhon all first round picks.  And Coach K has been straight with Wall in saying he hasn't really had a point in four or more years.  Anyhow, enough rambling opinion, for this recruitment will take a few more twists and turns before Wall decides and you can count on a live announcement on ESPNU or some other network.

Still, at this time Duke is in as good a shape as possible but they will have to fight off Kentucky.  Keep in mind, I could be wrong and admittedly, my opinion changes a bit as the wind blows on this one.   Lastly, anyone who reads too much into comments in the coming days on Wall is wasting their time.  Wall is changing some of his answers from one interview to the next and is obviously enjoying his day in the limelight.  Please read our policies on sharing information on the message board.  Sharing of information from our premium site is strictly prohibited. [/private]

Quarterbacks Lewis and Renfree shine in Spring Game

Redshirt freshman Sean Renfree - BDN Photo
Redshirt freshman Sean Renfree - BDN Photo

DURHAM, N.C. -- Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Renfree threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns to lead the White squad to a 24-17 victory over the Blue team in front of 4,162 fans at the annual Spring Football game held Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.

“The game was crisp with few penalties," Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said.  "No one was sloppy with the football and I thought the game was intense. I told the players before the game that we are a good football team.  I thought they played like one today.  We had really good execution for the most part throughout the game."
Renfree completed 15-of-24 throws on the day with scoring strikes of 17 yards to wide receiver Matt Pridemore and 17 yards to tight end Danny Parker.  Pridemore led the White team with five receptions for 67 yards while running back Patrick Kurunwune paced the ground attack with 66 yards on 13 attempts while hauling in four passes for an additional 67 yards.  Running back Tony Jackson added a touchdown run and finished with 34 yards on six carries.

“The passing game is something we have elevated," said Cutcliffe.  "We are stretching the field better.  There were some nice plays made.  I thought the quarterbacks both had a good day.  I also thought we ran the ball well.  It was encouraging to see the second offense execute as well as they did.”

For the Blue unit, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis hit on 17-of-23 passes for 257 yards while rushing for a pair of one-yard touchdowns.  His favorite target was wide receiver Donovan Varner who had six grabs for 116 yards.

“We went out there and executed," Lewis said.  "We had some big plays today.  The coaches put us in good situations.  We can go to the tight ends over the middle and to our shifty guys who can get yards after the catch.  If they leave our running backs open we can get the ball to those guys with space and let them do what they do best.”
Cutcliffe announced the recipients of the program's annual spring awards: Jeremy Ringfield (Most Improved Special Teams Player), Pontus Bondeson (Co-Most Improved Offensive Player), Danny Parker (Co-Most Improved Offensive Player), Damian Thornton (Co-Most Improved Defensive Player), Charlie Hatcher (Co-Most Improved Defensive Player) and Vincent Rey (Blue Devil Heart).
SCORING SUMMARY
Blue -- Thaddeus Lewis 1 run (Nick Maggio kick)
White -- Matt Pridemore 17 pass from Sean Renfree (Will Snyderwine kick)
Blue -- Thaddeus Lewis 1 run (Nick Maggio kick)
White -- Danny Parker 17 pass from Sean Renfree (Will Snyderwine kick)
White -- Tony Jackson 1 run (Will Snyderwine kick)
Blue -- Nick Maggio 25 FG
White -- Paul Asack 30 FG
STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING
Blue -- Cameron Jones 10-20, Re'quan Boyette 7-19
White -- Patrick Kurunwune 13-66, Tony Jackson 6-34, Sean Renfree 3-16
PASSING
Blue -- Thaddeus Lewis 17-23, 257 yards
White -- Sean Renfree 15-24, 210 yards, 2 touchdowns
RECEIVING
Blue -- Donovan Varner 6-116, Cameron Jones 2-44
White -- Matt Pridemore 5-67, Patrick Kurunwune 4-67
TACKLES
Blue -- Adam Banks 8, Curtis Hazelton 5, Colin Jones 5, Zack Asack 4, Jeremy Ringfield 4
White -- Matt Daniels 7, Vincent Rey 7, Catron Gainey 5, Ayanga Okpokowuruk 5
SACKS
Blue -- Jeremy Ringfield 1 (-3)
White -- Ayanga Okpokowuruk 2 (-13)

$10Million Commitment to Duke Football will enhance facilities

Steve Brooks, David Cutcliffe and Bob Pascal - BDN Photo
Steve Brooks, David Cutcliffe and Bob Pascal - BDN Photo

Be sure to attend Saturday's Spring Football Game and check back into the Blue Devil Nation for coverage of today's announcement and the game.

DURHAM, N.C. — Duke head coach David Cutcliffe announced on Friday a combined commitment of $10 million to the Blue Devil football program from Steve Brooks and Bob Pascal.

The donation will be used to enhance Duke’s facilities including outdoor practice fields, the visiting team lockerroom and a fieldhouse featuring a full length practice field. In addition to having a dynamic impact on the football program, the indoor facility will significantly augment the school’s Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department where over 5,000 students participate in club and intramural sports annually.

"Duke University, and the football program in particular, is grateful to have the tremendous support of Steve Brooks and Bob Pascal," Cutcliffe said. "Their generosity to our program is paralleled only by the Yoh family. We are proud to call Steve and Bob members of the Duke football family. The maxim for our program is the "Pursuit of Excellence", and certainly Steve and Bob exemplify that motto themselves. This financial commitment, especially considering the current state of the economy, is truly remarkable and speaks volumes to their loyalty and passion for Duke. This is a great day for Duke football."

A native of Atlanta, Ga., who currently resides in Pinecrest, Fla., Brooks entered Duke in 1966 (Class of T’70) served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, including 13 months in Vietnam. Following his military service, he received a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University. Brooks serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Phoenix American Insurance Group. He and his wife, Eileen, have two children, Matt and Steven. Matt, a four-year football letterman (2001-04) at Duke, ranks ninth on the school’s all-time list for field goals (19) including a career-long 53-yarder on the game’s final snap in the Blue Devils’ 16-13 triumph over Clemson on November 13, 2004. Steve currently serves on the Athletics Advisory Board and the Duke Law School Board.

"We believe this is the perfect time to invest further in Duke football," Brooks said. "We have the right coach in David Cutcliffe, the right Athletic Director in Kevin White, great student-athletes, and strong support from the schools’ administration and Board of Trustees. We as a family have been blessed and are proud to be able to make this gift to Duke."

A native of Bloomfield, N.J., and current resident of Easton, Md., Pascal is a 1956 graduate of Duke and the owner of the Pascal Group. He has four daughters, Catherine Anne, Margaret, Clara and Robin. Catherine Anne is a 1979 Duke graduate. A standout on the gridiron at Duke from 1953-55, Pascal was a two-time first team All-ACC pick (1954-55) and first team All-America selection (1955). He helped the Blue Devils to a three-year record of 20-8-3 including three ACC championships and a 34-7 win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1955. Pascal, who served as a Maryland State Senator (1970-74) and Anne Arundel County Executive (1974-82), rushed for 1,523 career yards with 19 touchdowns and was a third round pick of the Baltimore Colts in the 1956 NFL Draft.

"The athletic and academic experience I received at Duke was a tremendous boost to my confidence to take on life’s challenges after I graduated," Pascal said. "Growing up, a Duke education was prestigious; just as it is presently. This commitment is a way for me to repay the debt, and to hopefully enable future generations of student-athletes the opportunity to have the Duke experience."

Duke will hold its annual Spring Game tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium. Admission to the game is free of charge.