Hall of Fame
Duane Ford, a member of the Class of 1978, was a three-sport standout in football, hockey, and lacrosse, as well as a storied coach, mentor, and administrator.
Ford was a driving force behind the emergence of the Middlebury football program. During his senior year, he was the team captain and secured First-Team New England honors as a linebacker. Ford was a 1977 New York Times All-East honoree, the only defensive player chosen from Division III that fall. He was a two-time All-ECAC selection in 1976 and 1977. As a senior, he paced the 7–1 squad with 84 tackles and 46 assisted stops.
In lacrosse, Ford was a 1978 All-American Honorable Mention, served as the team’s captain, and was tabbed the Most Valuable Player. He garnered All-New England and All-Snively Division accolades and was selected to participate in the 1978 North/South All-Star game. The two-way midfielder was named the 1977 and 1978 Midd Baggataway Award winner, given to the player who exemplifies the best spirit and leadership in the program. He led his teams to four straight ECAC Championships, the furthest the program could advance on the national scene at that time.
Following his playing days, Ford remained involved in both sports, using his talents on the sidelines to foster the next generation. He served four seasons as Middlebury’s defensive line coach. Ford was Tufts’ defensive coordinator for three years and later became the head football coach from 1985 through 1993. In his second season on the gridiron, he guided the Jumbos to a 7–1 record, secured the NESCAC Championship, and was recognized as the NESCAC Coach of the Year. During that period, he was also the head lacrosse coach from 1983 until 1986. Following his time at Tufts, Ford spent 32 years teaching and coaching football and lacrosse at the Holderness School in New Hampshire.
