Duquesne University Introduces New Athletic Director

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) - Duquesne University officially has a new leader of its athletics program. David Harper will now be in charge of the Duquesne Dukes.

Officials say Harper is definitely the person for the job.

"He is a leader and a strategic thinker who understands how to build a successful program," says Dr. Charles Dougherty, the President of Duquesne University.

Harper previously worked at the University of Dayton as the school's vice president, and worked as an assistant football coach at Robert Morris.

During his tenure at Dayton, he was well-known for his record-setting fundraising skills.

"Anybody can be a fundraiser," says Harper. "We are all representatives. I will count on coaches to come to donor meetings. I will county on our staff. I will count on everybody to understand what we are trying to get done."

Harper says he wants to build a comprehensive model and fundraising plan to help the school.

The new athletic director's connection to Duquesne University runs deep. Harper says he distinctly remembers watching a Dayton vs. Duquesne basketball game at the Palumbo Center. He says he knew then that Duquesne could compete, and that there was something very special about Pittsburgh.

"It's an academic mix, the career preparation, the urban setting. Those were good things to see because that's a positive trend for the institution," says Harper.

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