2015
Daniel S. Dukes, IV, Class of '76 (Honorary)
A former student-athlete, coach and Senior Vice President for Governmental Affairs at the College of Charleston, Daniel S. Dukes, IV, made significant contributions to the athletics program in all phases of his career – be it resurrecting a program, fundraising, recruiting, scheduling and being a nationally-competitive coach from 1986-1999. He lettered in golf from 1972-76 and earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from CofC and the University of South Carolina. After resurrecting the golf program in 1986 and developing a major scholarship endowment for the sport (a first by any coach at The College), Dukes immediately etched his competitive will into his teams on the links. In 1988, the Cougars won the NAIA District 6 title and finished 12th at the national tournament. For three-consecutive years, his teams were ranked in the Top 20 nationally. When The College moved to NCAA Division I status in 1991, Dukes immediately upgraded his scheduling and recruiting. The squad’s steady progress culminated in the 1994 season when CofC was ranked among the Top 50 teams in the nation for the first time and kept that Top 50 ranking for five consecutive years. He mentored three All-Americans in future professional golfers: Mark Steelman, Jedd McLuen and Bruce McDonald. The program he built and raised five endowed scholarships for was so strong that after his retirement from coaching in 2000, the Cougars made three-consecutive NCAA Regional appearances and earned a spot in the national tournament where they finished 16th in 2001. Dukes was named CofC Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2008 and his legacy continues as the men’s golf program continues to win conference championships and advance to postseason tournament play.
