DBU Athletics is proud to announce the hiring of Matt Duce as the program's Director of Athletics. Duce, who was a four-year standout on the DBU Baseball team from 2015-2018, most recently served as DBU's Director of Alumni Affairs for the past year. During his previous four years at Dallas Baptist University, Duce has also served as the Assistant to the Chancellor, Project Manager for DBU's Graduate School, and was the Director of Graduate Recruitment.
 
"I am thrilled that Matt Duce has accepted our invitation to be DBU's new Director of Athletics," remarked DBU President, Dr. Adam Wright. "Matt is an exceptional leader who has a proven track record of excellence and achievement. I look forward to seeing his Christ-centered leadership in action as we produce champions for Christ at DBU."
 
During his playing days at DBU, Duce was a three-time All-Missouri Valley Conference selection and an integral part of a Patriots team that reached the NCAA postseason all four years of his collegiate career. As one of the all-time greats to put on the Patriot uniform, Duce stands as the winningest Patriot in the history of DBU Baseball, having been a part of 174 wins over his four-year career. In four seasons, Duce finished his career with 23 home runs and his 49 doubles are the ninth-most in program history.
 
As one of the nation's top catchers, Duce's name was called twice in the Major League Draft. Following his junior season in 2017, he was selected by the New York Mets in the 14th round and elected to return for his senior year. After guiding DBU to the finals of the Fayetteville Region in 2018, Duce was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth round. He went on to spend two seasons in the Cardinals' minor league system before returning to University Hill in the fall of 2019.
 
"Today, we are honored to welcome Matt Duce as DBU's new Director of Athletics," Vice President for Administration and Enrollment Jonathan Teat said. "As a proven Patriot, I have full confidence that Matt's commitment to our Christ-centered championship culture will extend a tradition of excellence through DBU Athletics as he serves our coaches, staff, and student-athletes. I would also like to thank Dr. Ryon Phillips for his exceptional service as Interim Director of Athletics these past several months."
 
Duce takes over the reins of a DBU Athletic program that features 25 sports programs including 16 that compete at the NCAA level. DBU's baseball program is one of only five teams in the nation to reach the NCAA Division I postseason each of the last nine years, while the DBU Women's Golf team recently won their second NCAA Division II National Championship in 2023. Dating back to 2014, DBU has won 48 conference championships, made 22 NCAA Division II National Championship appearances, and one NCAA DII Final Four appearance in women's soccer. Additionally, DBU's Cheer and Dance programs have both captured three National Championships (NCA and NDA).
 
"I am deeply humbled and honored to have the privilege of serving DBU as Director of Athletics," Duce remarked on Thursday. "DBU Athletics has a long and storied tradition of recruiting and developing high-performing student-athletes who pursue excellence both inside the classroom and on the playing field. I look forward to serving alongside our talented and mission-driven coaches and staff as we strive to develop Champions for Christ."
 
In his previous two positions prior to being named DBU's Director of Athletics, Duce spearheaded efforts that led to both growth and success. During his time as DBU's Director of Graduate Recruitment, new student enrollment climbed by 57 percent in 2022 compared to the previous year. Most recently as Director of Alumni Affairs, overall alumni giving increased, including a 50 percent growth in alumni donors during the 2023 Giving Day Campaign compared to 2022.
 
Duce earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from DBU in 2019 and completed his MBA in 2021. He is married to Jaycee Duce, who also graduated from DBU in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and finished her MBA in Marketing in 2022. Matt and Jaycee are members of Northway Church in Dallas.
 
About Dallas Baptist University
Founded in 1898, Dallas Baptist University is a comprehensive Christ-centered university dedicated to producing servant leaders through the integration of faith and learning. With an enrollment of 4,366 students, DBU offers more than 80 undergraduate majors, 37 graduate degrees in a variety of fields, and two doctoral programs. More information about Dallas Baptist University can be found at www.dbu.edu or by calling 800-460-1DBU.