Duke Foster facts for kids
| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 23, 1929 Atlanta, Georgia |
| Died | July 20, 1973 (aged 44) |
| Playing career | |
| Football | |
| 1947–1950 | Morehouse |
| Basketball | |
| 1947–1949 | Morehouse |
| Position(s) | End (football) Center (basketball) |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| Football | |
| 1955–1956 | Morehouse (assistant) |
| 1957–1966 | Morehouse |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 27–47–4 |
Robert "Duke" Foster Jr. (born January 23, 1929 – died July 20, 1973) was an American college sports star and coach. He was known as "Duke" to his friends and teammates. He played both football and basketball at Morehouse College in Atlanta. Later, he became the head football coach for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers team.
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Duke Foster's Early Life and College Years
Duke Foster was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on January 23, 1929. He went to Northwestern High School in Detroit, Michigan. After graduating in 1947, he started college at Morehouse.
Playing Sports at Morehouse
At Morehouse, Duke was a talented athlete. He played football as an end from 1947 to 1950. An end is a player on the offensive or defensive line. He was even the captain of the football team. In 1949, he earned special honors for his football skills. These honors were called All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC).
Duke also played basketball as a center. A center is usually the tallest player on a basketball team. He played basketball from 1947 to 1949. On top of that, he played baseball for the school.
After College: Military Service and Education
After finishing college at Morehouse in 1951, Duke Foster joined the United States Marine Corps. He served for two years and became a lieutenant. This is an officer rank in the military.
After his time in the Marines, Duke continued his education. He earned a master's degree from New York University (NYU). His degree was in health and physical education.
Coaching Career at Morehouse
In 1955, Duke Foster returned to Morehouse College. He became an instructor and a coach. He started as an assistant coach for the football team.
Becoming Head Coach
In 1957, Duke Foster became the head football coach for the Morehouse Maroon Tigers. He led the team for ten seasons, until 1966. During his time as head coach, his team had a record of 27 wins, 47 losses, and 4 ties. This means they won 27 games, lost 47, and tied 4.
Duke Foster passed away on July 20, 1973. He is remembered for his dedication to sports and to Morehouse College.
