Feature /// Amy Duke, The REAL MVP
Leave it Better Than you Fo
Story by: Kimberly Atnip Quirouet Photography Provided by: Amy Duke
Amy quickly became the “football mom” to not only her own boys, but to so many who needed an extra one. She opened her home, her heart and her calendar to share her husband and the father of her children, especially from July through December.
Amy and Bill met at Quincy University, where their life of faith, family and football began. I am a firm believer you need goals and dreams, and they can intertwine. But the reality is you also need to separate the two. Dr. Duke had a goal to be a physician, and Amy was more than willing to support that. Mission accomplished. She also knew her husband loved the game of football, loved being around kids and loved knowing he could make a difference. Here lies the dream. Dr. William Duke started his football dream in the inner city of Chicago. “Seeing Bill work with kids in such a vast differ- ence in family life and socioeconomic status was humbling and a deep education in life and our faith,” Amy said. Perhaps it was this beginning that allowed Bill and Amy to always recognize that every kid has a story, every kid needs a chance and every door in their house remains open to them.
58 /// January 2025
Their life of medicine led them to Jefferson City Medical Group and the Blair Oaks School District, where their love of football and their growing family was ignited, and the fire was started. Amy jokes that “Bill is the idea man, and I try to make it happen,” but I believe Bill would say “she is truly the Chief of Operations in all aspects.” Amy has filmed for games, created schedules, coordinated youth programs, and cooked for entire football teams, all while making it look completely effortless. She claims she prefers to be in the background, but her love for her husband, their four boys, football and the foundation of faith should place her front and center in the Duke household. I have told her before, “you are the rose amongst the thorns.” In the search to accomplish their goals and live out their dreams, they have crossed paths in Chicago, Wardsville, Jef- ferson City and currently plant their roots in Tipton. Bill holds the Tipton High School head football coaching position, all while being a full-time podiatrist by day. They leave their mark of faith, dedication to each other and a motto of “leave it better than you found it” wherever God has sent them.
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