BRIDGEWATER, Va. - A hard-working competitor and leader are a gifted feat at Bridgewater College, which is honored in all its glory in the Bridgewater College Hall of Fame class of 1997.  

Duane Harrison represented an athlete that embodied hard work and success at Bridgewater, resulting in his induction in 1997. Harrison became the college's first track & field all-american, winning national honors in the NCAA outdoor long jump in both 1980 and '81, while also leading his indoor track & field squad to ODAC indoor championships in '79, '80, and '81 and the outdoor squad to outdoor championships all four years at the college from 1977-81. Simply put, Harrison earned his stripes. 

The decorated and successful competitor collected 11 ODAC indoor titles and 13 outdoor titles. He also held the long jump record in program history at the time of his induction with a 24'-4'' leap. 

Harrison's talents did not stop at track; he was also extremely impactful on the football field as quarterback and punter. Harrison guided the team to its first-ever ODAC title in 1980. He set the most wins school record, led all Division III in punting yards per kick average in '79, as well as All-ODAC First Team selections as quarterback and punter in both the '79 and '80 seasons.  

He was a well-respected four-year letterwinner during his time competing in football and track, as well as one season in basketball. Harrison passed in 2024, but his legacy and impact will be remembered forever at Bridgewater.  

With these amazing accomplishments and achievements, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference has given Bridgewater College the honor of inducting Duane Harrison posthumously into the conference's first ever Hall of Fame class in the league's 50-year anniversary of competition.   

Duane Harrison along with four other Hall of Fame honorees from Bridgewater Athletics Hall of Fame will be celebrated on Saturday, Jan. 17 at the women's basketball contest against Hollins in Nininger Gym at 4:30 p.m.