Completed Event: Men's Lacrosse versus Georgetown on May 10, 2025 , Loss , 12, to, 16
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Final
Men's Lacrosse
12
vs Georgetown
16
Blue Devils Relive Glory Days at Alumni Weekend
10/22/2016 6:21:00 PM | Men's Lacrosse
DURHAM, N.C.-Over 120 former Blue Devils relived the glory days this weekend at the annual Duke Men's Lacrosse Alumni Weekend. Former players spanning six decades returned to Durham to celebrate the family that is Duke men's lacrosse.
Head coach John Danowski, in awe of the turnout for the 2016 event, hosted the Blue Devils on the Duke University golf course Friday afternoon and then in the new Blue Devil Tower with a special reception Friday night.
Former players spoke about Duke lacrosse, honored the Peter Ortale who died in the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, and shared all the stories that only those who experienced life as a Blue Devil could understand.
“These are the guys who I know even if I haven't talked to them in a while if I got a phone call from one of them I would pick it up in a heartbeat,” former attackman Josh Dionne said. “We experienced so many great moments together and I wouldn't trade it for the world.”
The festivities continued after the reception as former players relived the memories of their time in Durham and reconnected with some teammates maybe they hadn't talked to in a while.
Saturday everybody reconvened on the turf fields to play the sport they love. Spotted were a few wooden sticks, some helmets that maybe haven't been worn in while and some rusty lacrosse. But perhaps most noticeable were the hugs, smiles and laughs that were being shared throughout.
The opening game featured the “Legends”, many of which suit up as the “Gray Devils” in other tournaments during the year. Former players from the 1970s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s strapped on the gloves and put in the mouthpieces to give it another run. Current Duke assistant coach Matt Danowski put a few minutes in as well for the white squad. A one-goal game throughout, Blue scored a late goal with just over 20 seconds to go to take the 7-6 lead. White won the ensuing faceoff, but was unable to get a shot off as Blue picked up the ground ball and cleared for the win.
The 50 minutes proved not to be enough as a bonus 10-minute period was put on the clock for the legends to play. However, the 10 minutes wasn't enough as the game went into sudden victory overtime with White getting the win.
The second game featuring Duke's more recent alumni versus the current Blue Devil squad proved to not be quite as competitive. The alumni struggled to win faceoffs and get offensive possessions and fell behind to the Blue Devils 7-0 before getting on the board. The Blue Devils continued to dominate, despite Coach Danowski trying to help the alums on the scoreboard, rolling to a convincing win over the four quarters.
One of the biggest highlights came following the second game as John Danowski was awarded a “Duke Man” certificate. One who always preaches about how special it is to be a Duke Man and what it means, Danowski never claimed he was one because he didn't carry a degree from the university.
However, as displayed by the 100-plus alumni in attendance, Danowski exemplifies a Duke Man and Peter Rubin honored Danowski with a framed certificate solidifying his status as a Duke Man.
The annual alumni game is an event the Duke coaching staff holds near to their hearts because it represents the power of the connections formed through Duke lacrosse.
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