The Dukes, though they were not corporate-sponsored, were members of the amateur National Industrial Basketball League for two years, between 1952 and 1954.
Joe White was followed by other great players like 6-9 big man William Madison Stratford a Mississippi native, who previously played for Akron Wingfoots relocated to Santa Maria and never left, Kenny Milo, Bill Bertka, while Lawrence "Hop" Findlay was the team' coach.
[1] In 1952 Duke Webster decided to step things up, with team joining the NIBL, and acquiring good players like point guard Patty Sims.
The population of Santa Maria back then was around 18,000, but local prominent rancher families such as he Ferrinnis, the Elks and the Tognazzinis helped to keep the Dukes alive.
Kenny Milo became Superintendent of Schools, Dale Hyatt became a principal, teacher and superintendent in Orcutt, Paul Howard was a prominent man in town, and Roger Brown was a prominent civic guy in Santa Maria.