“DUKE” WASHINGTON
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Black graduates of several years ago include “Duke” Washington, who starred as a Pasco High School football player and also as a player on the Washington State College team (now Washington State University). Duke has the distinction of being the first black football player ever to play in the University of Texas stadium when he and the Washington State team played there. Bernice Davidson reminded this writer that when Duke came off the field during the fourth quarter of that game, the Texas fans gave him a rousing ovation. He has been an Educator since receiving his graduate degree from W.S.U. Presently he is Director of Student Services for the University of Washington at Seattle. He entered Pasco Schools as a 9th grader after moving here with his family from Mississippi by way of California in the 1950’s.
