General 4/21/2016 12:00:00 AM

Trevecca Athletics | Hall of Fame Class of 2016 - Jack "Pops" Duncan

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca Nazarene University will introduce six new members to its athletic hall of fame on Monday, April 25, 2016, at 6:30 PM at an intimate dinner in the President's Dining Room in the Jernigan Student Center on the Nashville campus.

The six and their guests will join an open celebration at 8 PM in the Boone Convocation Center on the Trevecca campus. The six will be introduced during the first-annual TROJY Awards. The Hall of Fame members are the first to enter the Purple Carpet with honorary seating.

All Trevecca fans, alumni, Hall of Fame members, and students are welcome to attend. The event is free and open to the public.

One of the six being inducted is Jack "Pops" Duncan in the category of meritorious service for his longtime support of Trevecca athletes and coaches.

Jack "Pops" Duncan has endeared himself to the Trojan student athletes, coaches and fans of the Trevecca athletic programs. His consistent, unwavering support of Trevecca Athletics has been an inspiration to all.

Trevecca volleyball coach Jayme Crowley said, "First, I am proud to call Pops my very good friend! He has been a person of great inspiration and encouragement to me over my eight-year career at Trevecca. Pops handles his medical adversities with courage, optimism, and a spirit of positivity. He is gentle, kind, caring, loving, supportive, and loyal. His faith is strong and his friendship is infallible. Pops, without a doubt, is one of the finest Christian role models that I have met along my faith journey. I am blessed to call him my friend and proud of his influential legacy that he is departing on current and future generations. Pops is a Difference Maker!"

"Pops," as he is affectionately known, has lived in the Trevecca Towers or Trevecca Health Center for a number of years. He moved here along with his late wife, Velva, and their son Ron and daughter-in-law Jill and their sons Brad and Bryan. Both grandsons are now Trevecca graduates.

He has not only attended countless games, but has also loved watching various teams practice. Until his health made travel difficult, he made frequent trips to road games to cheer his beloved Trojans. Many of the Trevecca coaches have enjoyed lunch with Pops over the years.

Pops is a longtime "Honorary Coach" with the women's basketball team. The annual Pops Duncan Classic is named in his honor.

Gary Van Atta, the Trevecca women's basketball coach for the last 11 years said, "I love Jack! He is a good friend and a faithful follower of the Purple and White. He is an inspiration to our players and to me personally. We love the way he attacks everyday with a joy and a purpose. When "Pops" arrived at our games and practices I knew it's time to get after it! We are all blessed that God put Jack Duncan in our lives and we are much better people because of it."

When Pops arrived in Nashville in 2001, he connected with long-time TNU supporter Wendell Poole who introduced him to the Trevecca Athletic Director Alan Smith and women's basketball coach Julie van Beek. All three welcomed him into the program and his connections grew from there.

Jack has been named the "Honorary Coach" for the softball and volleyball teams as well.

Pops' smile and encouragement as well as his physical support is greatly appreciated and will be fondly remembered by current and former Trevecca athletes for years to come.

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