Complete In the Pros History in PDF Format
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Duquesne's student-athletes have made their mark in the professional sports leagues in the United States for some time, including NBA All-Stars Norm Nixon, Sihugo Green and Chuck Cooper and baseballs Dave and Dick Ricketts. And this is continuing with the current era of Dukes
In 1998, guard Korie Hlede was the fourth player drafted (Detroit Shock) in the WNBA draft and pitcher Joe Beimel was drafted by the hometown Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1999, outfielder B.J. Barns rejoined his college teammate when he was also drafted by the Pirates.
Guard Mike James, who honed his game in Europe following his graduation in 1998, joined the NBA's Miami Heat in Dec. 2001 and Tony Zimmerman became the starting quaterback for the Arena Football League2's Quad-City franchise during their 2002 campaign.
In 2003, lineman Steve Lindsey joined the AF2's Mohegan Wolves. And defensive back Leigh Bodden became the first DU football player on a regular season roster with the Cleveland Browns while fullback Josh Rue was re-signed to the Arizona Cardinals practice squad and was activated to the 53-man squad for the final two games of the season.
Wide receiver Jeremy Conley, who had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the spring of 2003, was picked up for the 2004 season by Quad City of the AF2 league.
Duquesne's soccer players joined the list of professional athletes in 2004. Damien Pottinger was the first player chosen in the Dec. 2003 A-League College Draft by the expansion franchise, Edmonton Aviators. The Aviators play in the spring. And in Feb. 2004, the Canadian was selected by the Philadelphia KiXX of the Major Indoor Soccer League as the Pennsylvania team's territorial pick in the MISL Amateur Draft for the 2004-05 season. Becky Barritt, who had played in her college off-seasons with the Denver Lady Cougars of the USL-W League, was chosen to compete for FC Honka, Finland, a member of the women's soccer Premier League 1st Division. The league plays from May through October.
On Feb. 27, 2004, Jason Kutney, was signed by the Charleston Battery, the 2003 A-League champions, after participating in the team's pre-season player trials. He played in the Premier Development League in May-June 2003 with the Jersey Shore Boca. On March 5, 2004 Nathan Salsi signed with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in the local team's inaugural season in the United Soccer League's Pro Soccer Division, who then signed Dan Hartung on April 7, 2004. Goalkeeper Terry McNelis was signed by the Minnesota Thunder of the A-League on April 13, 2004.
Candace Futrell, who completed her collegiate career as the A-10 co-Player of the Year, was drafted by the Connecticut Sun in the 2004 WNBA Draft. The Altoona, Pa. native, following a strong showing the in Sun's exhibition games, is the second Duke to make a WNBA regular season roster. In June 2004, Dan Schwartzbauer was drafted by the Pirates in the 41st round. He spent the remander of the season with the Bradentown Pirates of the Gulf Coast Rookie League.
For updates on any of these athletes, please click on the appropriate link below. (Current team in paranetheses)
