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How the Duke Blue Devils got their name

The Duke Blue Devils almost didn’t become the 'Blue Devils!'
Credit: Justin K. Aller
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 15: The Duke Blue Devils mascot, Blue Devil attends the game against the Iona Gaels during the first round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 15, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

DURHAM, N.C. — How the Duke Blue Devils got their name is just about as interesting as Coach K’s legacy!

However, according to Duke University, the Duke Blue Devils almost didn’t become the “Blue Devils!” Other names in the running included the Polar Bears, Blue Titans, Blue Eagles, Royal Blazes, Blue Warriors, Catamounts, Grizzlies, Badgers, Dreadnaughts, and Captains.

The name dates back to World War I and the Chasseurs Alpins, nicknamed "les Diables Bleus," who were well-known French soldiers. They gained attention with their unique training and knowledge of the alpine. They were called upon to break the stalemate of trench warfare in their native region of the French Alps.

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Their distinctive blue uniform with the flowing cape and beret captured public attention. When the U.S. entered the war, units of the French Blue Devils toured the country to help raise money for the war effort, according to the university.

Fast-forward to the end of the war in Europe, and the Trinity College Board of Trustees lifted its quarter-century ban on football on campus.

Then, in September 1921, the student newspaper, the Trinity Chronicle, launched a campaign for a “catchy name.” They wanted a name that would be their “own possession and instantly recognizable nationwide in songs, yells and publicity.”

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During a campus pep rally, they showed enthusiasm by pointing out that the rival North Carolina State College (now NCSU) adopted the name “Wolfpack.”

The newspaper editors urged a selection of the previous names listed to develop the name. None of the names won strong favor, but the Blue Devils had enough support to elicit criticism. However, the football season passed with no official name selection.

The editors of two other student publications agreed the newspaper staff should choose a name. In the academic year 1922-23, the managing editor of the Trinity Chronicle began referring to the athletic teams as the Blue Devils. The university reports that their class was the first post-war freshmen, and the student body was full of returning veterans, so the name needed no explanation. Even though it was somewhat unpopular, they believed it was the best name nominated.

The newspapers continued to use the name, and it caught on, starting a new legacy. 

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