Why is James Madison called the Dukes? Nickname history, origin ahead CFP game
- - Why is James Madison called the Dukes? Nickname history, origin ahead CFP game
Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY NETWORKDecember 20, 2025 at 5:04 AM
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James Madison is set to make its College Football Playoff debut on Saturday, Dec. 20.
Ironically, the team nicknamed the Dukes got help from Duke football to earn their CFP berth. The five-loss Blue Devils took down Virginia in the ACC Championship game, opening the door for the Sun Belt champion James Madison to sneak in as the fifth-highest-ranked conference champion.
REQUIRED READING: Oregon-James Madison: College Football Playoff picks, predictions, odds
The 12th-ranked Dukes (12-1) take on No. 5 Oregon (11-1) at 7:30 p.m. ET (4:30 p.m. PT) on Dec. 20, from Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon, looking to make history and continue their stellar season.
However, while fans are watching the game, they may wonder what, exactly, is a Duke — and how James Madison earned that nickname. Here's what you :
Why is James Madison called the Dukes?
According to James Madison's athletics website, the school's athletic programs are named after the second school president, Samuel P. Duke.
The legend goes that the first men's basketball team's players in 1947 told Duke they would name the team after him, if he provided them with towels and equipment. Around the same time, the women's athletic teams were known as the Duchesses, though they dropped that moniker in 1982. All athletic teams were subsequently renamed the Dukes.
What is James Madison's mascot?
In the 1970s, the men's intercollegiate athletic programs were on the rise. The administration decided that a mascot would be needed to generate more school spirit around campus. However, they realized there was not a real way to make "Duke" into a mascot that would "engender enthusiasm among students, alumni and other fans."
Dr. Ray V. Sonner, the then director of public affairs, came up with the idea of the Duke Dog.
"Sonner's rationale was that the stereotypical pet for British royalty, such as a duke, would be an English bulldog. Duke Dog was born."
The Duke Dog made its first appearance as a cartoon before coming out as a real bulldog during the 1972-73 school year. The current mascot outfit ― similar to the one used today ― came about during the 1982-83 school year.
A Duke Dog statue was added to the campus in 2005.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is a Duke? James Madison football nickname, explained
Source: “AOL Sports”
