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Former Duke Gridiron Assistant Coach Passes Away
2/26/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
NEWARK, Del. ? Martin T. "Marty" Pierson, a former Duke football assistant coach, passed away on Monday, February 23 at Christiana Hospital in Newark, Del. He was 87.
Pierson served on the Blue Devil coaching staff from 1951-65 and during the 1971 season under head coaches Bill Murray and Mike McGee. He was on the staff during Murray's entire 15-year tenure as Duke went 93-51-9 with one Southern Conference championship (1952) and seven ACC crowns (1952-55; 1960-62; 1965). Under the direction of McGee, the 1971 Duke squad went 6-5 and finished third in the ACC.
A native of Wilmington, Del., Pierson also enjoyed a long career with the Sperry Corporation in Durham, serving 22 years as an industrial relations manager.
In addition to his parents, Pierson was preceded in death by his first wife, Geraldine Rodney Pierson, and a son, E. Rodney Pierson. He is survived by his second wife, Joyce Pierson of Durham, N.C.; his son, Duke Pierson and his wife, Joan, of Newark, Del.; his brother, Joseph Pierson of Georgetown, Del.; and two grandchildren, Matt and Patty Pierson of Newark, Del.
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