Duquesne University Athletics

March 6, 2004

Here is the Duquesne University Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2004:

• Joe Beimel was an 18th round selection of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1998 Major League Baseball draft. He left Duquesne after being the team leader with six wins in 14 appearances. He also led the Dukes with four complete games and 65 innings pitched. He was second on the staff with 39 strikeouts and was third in ERA at 4.71. In three minor league seasons from 1998-2000, Beimel compiled 17 wins with a 4.27 ERA and was named to two All-Star teams. In 2001, he was promoted to Pittsburgh where he made his Major League debut as a starter, defeating Houston's Scott Elarton on April 8. Most of his career with the Pirates has been as a reliever (141 games) though he's also started 23 contests. He's beginning his fourth season with the Bucs this spring and has a career MLB record is 10-19 with a 5:00 ERA.

• Sam Costanzo is one of the founders of the club football team that began play in 1969. He helped bring football back to the Bluff after a 19-year hiatus and saw the team capture a club football national championship in just its fifth season. He handled all of the administrative duties involved with the program including hiring coaches, scheduling games and purchasing equipment. In addition, he was the team's liaison to the alumni and administration.

• Bill Stromple played basketball for the Dukes from 1960-62. A three-year letterman and one-year team captain, he played in 69 of a possible 74 games during that span and increased his scoring average each season. A point guard with outstanding passing and defensive skills, he led the Dukes to a 45-29 record during his tenure including a 22-7 mark in 1962 as Duquesne advanced to the semifinals of the National Invitation Tournament.

• The 1973 National Club Championship Football Team won the national club championship in 1973 with a perfect 10-0 record. This team outscored its opponents 180-23 while holding six of its ten opponents scoreless. Coached by current Duquesne Hall of Famer Dan McCann, they secured the perfect season with a 13-7 win over Mattatuck in the National Championship game at Three Rivers Stadium.