Duke Blue Devils Mascot History:

Duke's "Blue Devil" mascot was inspired by the World War I French soldiers, the Chasseurs Alpins or "Blue Devils." A courageous highly-trained team known for their striking blue uniforms and blue berets, was captured in Irving Berlin's song as, "Strong and active, most attractive...those Devils, those Blue Devils of France." "Blue Devils" debuted in 1921, when the student paper, The Chronicle, campaigned for a new nickname. In 1922, writers began referring to Duke's athletic teams as the "Blue Devils."