Legendary PA football coach Steve Sorota once called him "the best I ever coached." His classmates called him the "Dude." During his three years at Andover, Dick Duden established himself as one of the school’s brightest stars both on and off the field of play.

As a senior at Andover, the Englewood, N.J., native was captain of both varsity football and varsity basketball, compiling records of 5-1 and 9-2 respectively and topping Exeter in each meeting. In a game against Tufts, the Dude scored an incredible five touchdowns. As a hoop star under coach Frank "Deke" DiClemente, Duden twice set new Andover records for individual points scored in a game. In the spring, playing for George "Flop" Follansbee’s nine, the Dude anchored the infield at third base and wielded a mighty bat. Of coach Sorota, who passed away in April, Duden remarked, "He was ... an excellent coach and mentor ... . Without him, I don’t know if I would have been able to go on to the Naval Academy."

Duden’s off-field contributions to Andover shone as brightly as his athletic ones. He was a member of the Student Council and was its president for one term, and he served as president of his class both lower and upper years, secretary of the class in his senior year, and a member of the Athletic Advisory Board. At commencement, Duden was awarded the prestigious Aurelian Honor Society Award for sterling character, high scholarship and forceful leadership.

After Andover, Duden continued his athletic exploits at the U. S. Naval Academy, and he is considered one of the greatest athletes in Naval Academy history. The College Football Hall of Fame, in which Duden was enshrined in August, says on its Web site, "At

6‘ 3", 215 pounds, big for that era, Duden played a key role in Navy’s success from 1943-45, leading the Midshipmen to a 21-5-1 record. As team captain his senior year [he] received consensus All-American honors and was chosen as the recipient of the Washington Touchdown Club Lineman of the Year Award (Knute Rockne Award). He also won the Naval Academy Athletic Association Sword as the top athlete in the ... Class of 1946.

"Following graduation, Duden served as an officer in the Navy, then played professionally for one year with the New York Giants in 1949 before his career was cut short by a knee injury. He returned to [Annapolis] from 1951-53 and took over the job of freshman football coach. In 16 seasons ... he compiled a 95-23-2 record."

In 1973, a panel of sportswriters named Duden to the All-Time Army-Navy football team.

On Oct. 13, 2001, Duden was honored at halftime ceremonies during the Naval Academy’s homecoming game vs. Rice University. He continues to reside near the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md.

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick ’71, a board member of Friends of Andover Athletics, says his father, Steve, coached with Duden at the Naval Academy for decades. Recalls Bill, "My first knowledge and interest in Andover was through Dick Duden. I became aware of his experience at Andover while I was a junior in high school and considering prep school. Dick felt strongly that his experience at PA helped him prepare for his success at the Naval Academy. When I applied to Andover, Dick conducted my admission interview in Annapolis, and it was only then that I thought I might have a chance to be accepted."

This article is one in an occasional series where the Andover Bulletin will catch up on former PA athletes.