Skip To Main Content
In the foreground, two women cut an orange ribbon, while in the background, a group of people stand behind a banner.
Duquesne City dedicates gym to DeWayne Tucker
Jeremy Tepper

On May 27, the district honored a legend. Joined by the whole school community, school board members, and Mr. DeWayne Tucker's family, the district honored Mr. Tucker's legacy, renaming the Duquesne City School District gym after him.

The gym, which hosts the Duquesne City students that Mr. Tucker was so fiercely dedicated to, is now named the DeWayne Tucker Gymnasium.

Mr. Tucker passed away on April 14, 2026. Among Mr. Tucker's many attributes, he was a 1959 Alumni of Duquesne High School, a retired City of Duquesne Police Officer and served on the Duquesne City School District elected School Board for 39 years - many of which he proudly led as Board President. He also started the DeWayne Tucker Athletic and Academic Excellence Award, given to a student athlete who embodies excellence in their sport and in the classroom. Mr. Tucker brought wisdom, dedication, and a unique passion to the district. His contributions left an indelible mark.

“For 39 years, Mr. Tucker dedicated himself to this school district, to this city, and most importantly, to the students who walk these halls each day. His commitment was not simply measured in years, but in the countless decisions he made with students at the center, the unwavering support he provided to staff, and the deep pride he carried for this community," said Duquesne City School District superintendent Dr. Sue. Mariani.

“A name on a building is more than a tribute — it is a reminder. A reminder of service, of commitment, and of the responsibility we all share to continue the work that has been entrusted to us.  For our students, when you walk into this gymnasium, know that you are stepping into a space named after someone who believed in you — someone who believed in your potential, your future, and your ability to achieve great things.  For our staff, may this serve as a continued call to the purpose that drives our work each day.   And to Mr. Tucker's family, please know that his legacy lives on not only in this space, but in every student who is given an opportunity, in every success that unfolds, and in every life that is positively impacted because of his vision and dedication.”

Dr. Mariani shared heartfelt remarks during the ceremony, along with Athletics and Student Activities Manager DiAngelo Mitchell, School Board President Sonya Gooden, and Mr. Tucker's grandchildren, Aubrey and Sydney Tucker. Mr. Tucker's wife, Maureen Tucker, cut a large ribbon, signifying the renaming of the gymnasium, before students erupted in 'Let's go Dukes' chants.

"If you know Mr. Tucker, you know he was a special person in this community," said Mitchell.

"On behalf of our family, I want to begin by saying 'thank you'. This community gave him his purpose, his fire," said Aubrey Tucker. "My grandfather believed fiercely that a community is only as strong as the people within it that fight for it. Children who needed advocates, he was that person for them every single time. To have this gymnasium dedicated to him, I know he would be so proud and say, 'this is all for you."

A group of people, some wearing matching t-shirts, stand behind an orange ribbon in the foreground, while a red banner hangs on the wall in the background.
Two women in matching t-shirts cut an orange ribbon in the foreground, while three people watch from behind a red banner in the background.
A man in a red jacket speaks into a microphone in front of a red and white background.
Four people in matching %22Once a Duke, Always a Duke%22 t-shirts stand on a red basketball court with a large %22Duke%22 logo in the background.
A young girl in a denim jacket and white t-shirt sings into a microphone with her hands near her face, while a blurred background shows a gymnasium with red doors and people.
A woman in a navy suit speaks into a microphone in the foreground, while two men stand in the background near doorways in a gymnasium.
A woman with curly hair speaks into a microphone in front of a red wall.
In the foreground, two women cut an orange ribbon, while in the background, a group of people stand behind a banner.
A woman in a navy suit stands at a microphone reading from papers, with a red gymnasium wall and a doorway in the background.
A woman with curly hair smiles while holding a microphone in front of a red background with a large white letter.
A woman in a red sweater speaks into a microphone while holding papers, with a blurred red background featuring white lettering.
A woman in a red sweater and black pants reads from papers at a microphone, with a large red banner featuring a white letter in the background.
A woman in a colorful tank top and white pants stands at a microphone with a red banner in the background.
Three girls hold a large orange banner that reads %22DeWayne Tucker Gymnasium%22 in front of a red wall with white lettering and a basketball court floor.
A group of children with diverse hairstyles and expressions are seated in the foreground, while blurred figures and red bleachers form the background.
A woman in a patterned tank top and white pants speaks into a microphone in front of a red banner with white lettering.
A red banner reading %22DeWayne Tucker Gymnasium%22 hangs in the foreground below two red banners celebrating %22Boys Basketball State Champs%22 from 1992 and 1993 against a white wall.
A group of excited children and a woman are cheering in the foreground, with a plain wall in the background.
A group of young people and adults stand in front of a red banner that reads %22De Wayne Tucker Gymnasium.%22
A group of people are seated on red bleachers in front of a banner that reads %22DeWayne Tucker Gymnasium.%22
Two young girls with open mouths are in the foreground, while a group of children sits behind them.
Four people, two women and two men, stand in the foreground wearing matching t-shirts with a picture of an older woman on them, while a blurred background shows bleachers and spectators.
A group of people pose for a photo on bleachers in front of a large red banner that reads %22DeWayne Tucker Gymnasium.%22