Marcia Dekany Duke

Duke Marcia Dekany Duke
(Field Hockey, 1964)

This 2013 Danbury High Hall of Fame Inductee was a three sport athlete in field hockey, softball and basketball. After Marcia’s high school career ended, she returned to Danbury High as a physical education teacher for forty-two years and spent thirty-years as a coach. While lettering in three sports at Danbury High School, Marcia was voted most athletic in the senior class. She was the leading goal scorer her senior year in field hockey and high scorer in basketball. While at Southern Connecticut State University, she majored in physical education. She earned advanced masters degrees in physical education, education and administration. At Southern, Marcia participated in field hockey, basketball, softball and track and field. After college graduation, Marcia played semi-pro softball for the Connecticut Diamonds. At Danbury High School, Marcia coached varsity and jayvee field hockey, varsity and jayvee basketball, and cross country. She is the founder of the DHS women’s track and field program, establishing it in 1973. In 1978 it became an official club team and in 1979, women’s track was established as an official varsity sport. Marcia guided the DHS women’s track program to a state runner-up finish in 1981. It was the first DHS women’s sport to earn a trophy in state competition. Besides the actual coaching, Marcia’s responsibilities included that of grounds keeper, mowing, track lining, field rolling, scoring, and scheduling. Marcia was both a player and a coach in the Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference and can speak of the significant changes that Title IX brought to women’s sports. DHS coaches speak highly of Marcia’s dedication and devotion to girls’ athletics. Retired DHS teacher and coach Mike Cioppa states, “Marcia was very generous with her time and resources. She treated her players like family, and she had a heart of gold. If a kid needed something, Mrs. Duke made certain that they got what they needed, even if it meant paying for their college tuition.” Danbury High School player, teacher and coach.