Duquesne University Director of Athletics Dave Harper announced today that the University and head women’s basketball coach Dan Burt have agreed to an eight-year contract extension that will keep Burt on the Bluff through the 2023-24 season.
Burt led the women’s program to unprecedented heights in 2015-16, a season that included both the first NCAA Championship appearance in school history as well as a school-record 28 wins. Duquesne, an at-large selection, became the first team in four years to win its first-ever NCAA Tournament game when it defeated Seton Hall, 97-76, in Storrs, Conn. Burt, who is 71-30 in his three seasons as head coach at DU, guided the Dukes to back-to-back WNIT appearances in 2013-14 and 2014-15.
“We all saw the positive impact the women’s basketball program had on not only the Duquesne community but on a national stage this past season,” said Duquesne President Ken Gormley. “Dan’s team clearly elevated the image of Duquesne University and it is important that we recognize and reward that outstanding accomplishment. I am excited about the future of our women’s basketball program and look forward to Dan building on the solid foundation that is in place.”
“The future of the Duquesne women’s basketball program is in very capable hands under the leadership of Dan Burt,” said outgoing DU President Dr. Charles Dougherty. “Dan fully understands and embraces the mission of our University and his teams have reflected that. I look forward to watching his teams enjoy continued success both on and off the playing floor.”
Burt is the first coach to receive a contract extension under Harper, who is in his first year as Duquesne’s AD.
“Duquesne Athletics must attract, develop and retain quality coaches to compete successfully,” said Harper. “It was very important for the University to signal a strong commitment to Dan and this agreement is a key part of that. Dan continues to drive the women’s program toward greater national prominence and he is doing it with extremely focused and competitive student-athletes who are also committed to the academic mission of our institution. It was an honor to work with the Duquesne administration, President Dougherty and President Gormley, and Dan to complete this agreement.”
“I would like to thank Presidents Dougherty and Gormley, the Board of Trustees and our Athletic Director, Dave Harper for their support, vision and being so proactive throughout this process,” said Burt. “When I accepted the head coaching position three years ago, I stated that Duquesne would be my last coaching job. Today, this commitment from the university ensures my long term future at Duquesne University.
“This extension is largely based on the talent and commitment of our assistant coaches. Eddie Benton, Matt Schmidt, and Rachel Wojdowski are vital and significant pillars of our basketball program. We would not be a national level basketball program without their strong contributions. Most importantly, the outstanding young women currently in our program and the alumni who established the foundation for our success are the biggest contributors to this incredible commitment. With a committed university behind us, Duquesne women’s basketball is poised for continued success on the court and in the classroom.”
The 2015-16 season was one of ‘firsts’ for Duquesne, as in addition to making the school’s first NCAA Tournament appearance, the Dukes also won a share of the A-10 regular season title, advanced to the A-10 Championship final game and appeared in a national poll – the USA Today Coaches Poll – for the first time on Jan. 12.
“Our job is to facilitate success for Dan and his program in the years ahead,” said Harper. “We need a strategic focus and detailed competitive and academic plans to do so. This has been the focus of our team after conducting an assessment of the department and will continue to be each day. We are all here to win. Having a great leader like Dan will certainly make that possible.”
http://www.goduquesne.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/070516aac.html
Photo Courtesy Duquesne Athletics
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