Wayne Duke (1990) - Hall of Fame

Wayne Duke

Induction:
1990

Dr. Jitu D. Kothari Meritorious Service Award

Wayne Duke, former University of Northern Iowa Sports Information Director, certainly has left his mark on intercollegiate athletics. Duke attended the University of Iowa and began his career as a student intern in the Iowa sports information office. In 1950, he graduated from Iowa with a bachelor's degree in journalism, and he accepted the sports information post at UNI, then known as Iowa State Teachers College.

He served the Panthers for one year, before leaving to accept an SID position at the University of Colorado. Duke stayed with the Buffaloes one year, leaving to join the first NCAA staff, serving as assistant to Executive Director Walter Byers. During his 11-year involvement with the NCAA, Duke was involved in many activities, including the production of publications and public relations.

In 1963, at the age of 34, Duke was named Commissioner of the Big Eight, becoming the youngest chief executive of a major athletic conference. He remained in that position until 1971, when he was named Commissioner of the Big Ten. He remained in that position 18 years, until his retirement in 1989. As Commissioner of the Big Ten, Duke oversaw and instituted many changes. During his tenure, league football teams were allowed to participate in bowl games besides the Rose Bowl.

He also served as chair of the NCAA Basketball Tournament committee from 1976-81, and during that time the tourney was expanded from 32 to 48 teams, a seeding process was introduced, and teams other than conference champions could be chosen to participate. Duke's peers have recognized him with numerous awards. He was the recipient of the 1990 University of Iowa Distinguished Alumni Award. In 1989, he received a Special Merit Award from the Collegiate Commissioners Association. In addition, his hometown of Burlington, Iowa, named its high school baseball diamond "Wayne Duke Field."