PITTSBURGH – Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh have reached an agreement in principle to resume the City Game series in 2020 after a one-year hiatus, as announced jointly by the two institutions Thursday.

"We are pleased to work with the University of Pittsburgh and our valued partners at PPG Paints Arena to continue the City Game in 2020 and 2021," said Duquesne Director of Athletics Dave Harper. "The very title 'City Game' is profound. This is a game for the city of Pittsburgh and its sports fans. It is an event circled on calendars each year. Duquesne is fully committed to participating in this game long term and honored to be part of this event for the city. We look forward to building the stature of the game and continuing to intensify the game as both programs continue on an upward trajectory."

Duquesne, coming off a 19-13 season which saw it tie the school record for Atlantic 10 wins (10-8), is scheduled to appear in the Junkanoo Jam in Bimini, Bahamas on Nov. 21-24, the St. Pete Shootout in St. Petersburg, Fla. on Dec. 21 & 22 and the Cleveland Classic on Dec. 29 as part of the 2019-20 non-conference schedule.

DU announced plans for a comprehensive renovation of the Palumbo Center in October. Set to break ground this month, the modernized and re-imagined facility will be named UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse in honor of men's basketball legend and NBA trailblazer Chuck Cooper, who captained Duquesne's men's basketball team before going on to become the first African-American to be drafted into the NBA in 1950.

The 2018-19 Dukes closed the Palumbo Center in style with a facility record 14 wins. Duquesne's 27 home victories under second-year head coach Keith Dambrot are the most in back-to-back seasons since 1972 and 1973.

Phase I of the renovation project is targeted for completion prior to the 2020-21 athletics season.