Duquesne's Improbable Championship Run Chronicled In New Book

PITTSBURGH, PA — The Duquesne University men's basketball team's championship drought had lasted considerably longer than the Pirates' current one, and that's saying something. So when the Dukes surprisingly won the Atlantic 10 championship in March, the team's fans were as shocked as they were euphoric.

The Dukes capturing their first title since 1977 was a historic moment, so much so that the season leading up to it is recounted in a new book. "47 Years: The Story of the 2023-24 Duquesne Dukes" was published this week and is available on Amazon and at the Duquesne Barnes & Noble.

The 304-page chronicle of the impressive run is a collaboration between noted Pittsburgh sports historian, author and Duquesne graduate David Finoli; Robert Healy III, a full-time faculty member in the Duquesne Media Department since 2014; and jack-of-all-trades Pittsburgh sports journalist Zachary Weiss.

"All three of us had different roles in making this book. As a result, there is a lens for everyone," Weiss told Patch.

"If you want the historical meaning, we've got you covered. If you want to look back at the games and relive the build to history, you're all set. If you want to know about the players, coaches and support staff beyond the box scores, it is well represented here."

The book details how the once-proud Duquesne program fell into disarray and how it was rebuilt by now-retired coach Keith Dambrot. It also provides game-by-game accounts through a season that resulted in the conference championship win against VCU. Additionally, there are detailed biographies of the team's players, coaches and support staff.

"We told a story that almost feels like a Disney movie in a lot of respects," Weiss said. "Writing this book together has been nothing short of a labor of love for all of us."