California University of Pennsylvania Athletics

Dr. Michael Duda was Cal U’s third President, serving from 1956 until his death in November 1968.

A visionary who often is compared to current University President Angelo Armenti, Jr., Dr. Duda helped California State College transition from a teacher training institution into a four-year liberal arts college. During his presidency, a Master of Education program was instituted, in 1961; enrollment quadrupled; and a dozen new buildings were constructed on campus.

Dr. Duda received special recognition from the State Board of Education for implementing the trimester program, which allowed students to complete their bachelor’s degrees within three years.

An avid sports enthusiast, Dr. Duda oversaw the constructions of both Hamer Hall and Adamson Stadium, which opened in 1964 and 1971, respectively. He was a strong proponent of student involvement in the school’s decision-making processes.

“He came to the university at a time of significant transition,” said Emeritus President Dr. John Pierce Watkins ‘53, who was hired by Duda as an English professor. “He had so many issues that he had to deal with but understood and appreciated the importance of athletics, the relative place of athletics and did what it made sense for him to do to get things started.”

Originally from Donora, Pa., and a 1927 graduate of Donora High School, Dr. Duda was an academic honor student, outstanding in debate and dramatics, and a star athlete in football, basketball, track and field, and baseball. During his childhood, he affectionately was given the nickname “Ki”, which came from his playing war with other youths and always taking the role of the Kaiser, who ruled Germany during World War I.

Dr. Duda completed his undergraduate studies at Saint Vincent College, near Latrobe, Pa., where he played football and earned his bachelor’s degree in education. He received both a Master of Education degree, in 1939, and a Doctor of Education, in 1942, from the University of Pittsburgh.

After working as an accountant in a steel mill, Dr. Duda won his first teaching and coaching jobs in 1935, when he joined the Donora School District. There he learned under legendary coach James K. Russell and coached football, basketball and baseball, while also officiating at WPIAL football and basketball games.

During his early teaching and coaching days, Dr. Duda became a mentor and lifelong confidant to many fine scholar-athletes, including eventual Major League Baseball Hall of Fame member Stan Musial.

A tireless worker, Dr. Duda served as a teacher, guidance counselor, director of playgrounds and scoutmaster before becoming a principal in the Donora school district from 1942-1951.

He then was named superintendent of the Monessen School District, a position he held until becoming president at California.

Coincidentally, Dr. Duda was inducted into the Mid-Mon Valley All Sports Hall of Fame in 1956, the same year he began his California presidency. In the Hall of Fame’s Biographical Journal he was labeled “the quintessential scholar-athlete of the Mon Valley.”

“His warm character touched many Mon Valley citizens with his enthusiasm for life, his personal modesty, the absence of pretense, and the infectious humor of this multi-faceted educator and civil leader,” wrote Journal author Stephen V. Russell. “Dr. Duda will be remembered for his quiet dedication in transforming dreams into realities.”

In 1962 Dr. Duda received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in Humane Letters from Saint Vincent College, and Cal U continues to honor the memory of this president emeritus. In 1968 the Duda World Cultures Building opened and was named in his honor, and the new state-of-the-art Duda Hall opened in February 2007. Since 1987, Cal U’s Alumni Association has presented the Michael Duda Award for Athletic Achievement at its annual awards luncheon.

The recipient of this award in 1993 was Jeff Petrucci ’69, who was an All-American quarterback at Cal from 1966-68. His memories of Dr. Duda remain vivid more than 40 years later.

“He had that aura around him and you knew Dr. Duda was in charge,” Petrucci said. “He was a strong person who cared about academics, athletics and you as a person. You could walk by his office and his door was always open. He would see you and if he wasn’t real busy he’d ask you to come in and sit down. He was that kind of person. He was at all our games and so supportive.”

The Vulcans hosted the 1968 PSAC Championship game the same day as Dr. Duda’s funeral. Cal, led by Petrucci at quarterback, rallied twice from 14-point deficits that day to tie perennial power East Stroudsburg University at Booster Field, 28-28.

“Some did not agree but it was decided that the game would go on as a tribute to him if you will,” said Watkins, who served as Cal U’s president for 15 years beginning in 1978. “I’m quite sure he would have understood and appreciated that. The game marked a significant event, which was a culmination of his efforts to develop the athletic program at California.”

Since Dr. Duda’s initial efforts, Cal U athletics has rapidly emerged as one of the premiere programs in the entire NCAA Division II. In 2009-2010, the Vulcans finished second nationally in the final standings of the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup for all of NCAA Division II. This was the highest finish ever by a PSAC athletic program. Clearly the Vulcans have come a long way with Dr. Duda setting the initial path according to Watkins.

“Athletics was done but not ballyhooed back then,” said Watkins, a 2000 Cal U Hall of Fame inductee. “You have to give him credit for taking an athletic program that was moribund and started it on its way to where it is today. The beginnings were modest. Michael Duda had his hands full when he came here but handled things remarkably well.”

Carrying on the Duda legacy with her vivacious and warm spirit is Veronica “Verne” Duda, who married Dr. Duda in June 1934 and now resides in Monongahela, Pa. The family includes her son, Michael, and the couple’s daughter, Karen Duda Hermiller.