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Moderator of Athletics
Rev. Paul J. Dugan, S.J., has held the position of moderator of athletics for the past 38 years. In his official capacity, Father Dugan, or Doogs as he is fondly known, tends to the spiritual needs of student-athletes. But for everyone he meets, Father Dugan provides guidance support, compassion, laughter and joy.
Now 85 years old, Father Dugan may indeed be the person who has attended more Golden Griffin games than any other Griff fan. He has also logged countless hours and frequent flyer miles on the road with student-athletes. Father Dugan’s pre-game blessing ends with a long-standing Canisius tradition: St. Peter Canisius, pray for us!”
In his fourth decade on the job, Father Dugan admits his pace has slowed a bit. But he is no less devoted to the students today than when he first came to Canisius in 1970.
When he’s not in the bleachers or on a team bus, Father Dugan makes a point to be where students gather. “I’m not in the classroom, so this is a way to meet and connect with more students,” he says.
His connection with students is a 24/7 job. While most Canisius Jesuits live in Loyola Hall, the Jesuit residence, Father Dugan calls Frisch Residence Hall home. He lives there so he can be available to the first-year students, whom he affectionately calls his flock. “It is part of my apostolate,” he says.
“It’s a sign of his devotion,” notes Canisius President Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J. “When students have problems and don’t know where to turn, they talk to Father Dugan. That gives him an opportunity to give students advice and to counsel them.”
Clearly, the spiritual growth of students is Father Dugan’s primary concern. “He has a deep spirituality and he communicates to the students the importance of a spiritual life,” adds Father Cooke.
Father Dugan further enhanced the spiritual life of students through retreats he led as head chaplain. He has also celebrated The Last Chance Mass on Sunday nights, which he instituted in the 70s, and is responsible for opening the Mass of St. Ignatius Loyola, formerly for Jesuits in Loyola Hall, to the entire campus community nearly 15 years ago.
Father Dugan’s focus on student spirituality is a reflection of his own experiences. As a Canisius student in the 1940s, he says the Jesuits had a great influence on him. “I admired their education, their enthusiasm, their faith and their friendships,” recalls Father Dugan. So much so that he left Canisius to attend Woodstock College, a Jesuit Seminary, where he earned his BA, MA and PhL.
Like his mentors, Father Dugan has touched the lives of countless students at Canisius. According to Mary H. Eberl ’88, executive director of the Western New York Grantmakers Association and long-time friend of Father Dugan, his signature saying is “I’m spreading the joy.” But for anyone who knows him, Father Dugan is the joy.
“Business people, students, everyone enjoys being with Father Dugan,” adds Father Cooke. “I think it is because he is such an authentic person. There is no pretense about him and for that people respect him.”
And, although Father Dugan is well-known for his great sense of humor, that is just a small part of his persona.
“Doogs is a person of great depth, sincerity, knowledge and ability,” says Carl J. Montante, ’64, president and managing director of Uniland Development Company. “He has devoted his life to the students and his sincerity pervades his being. It has earned him a level of credibility that few have with young people and that is why they welcome his involvement.”
It is Father Dugan’s devotion to Canisius students that prompted the Montante family to request that Eastwood Hall be dedicated as Dugan Residence Hall in September 2007. The naming opportunity is a result of the Montante family’s historic $5.1 million gift to the college.
Father Dugan, who has known four generations of the Montante family, said that he was very touched by the gesture. And according to Carl Montante, when the shock wore off, in true Doogs fashion, Father Dugan exclaimed, “Oh, great, another reason to have a party!”