Known as “Dancin’ Du,’’ DuBose became one of the most popular Tampa Bay Rowdies because of his status as a native Floridian and his athletic exploits as a goalkeeper. 

DuBose helped the Rowdies to the North American Soccer League’s 1978 Soccer Bowl, where they were defeated by the New York Cosmos. DuBose always seemed to be fighting off competition for his job — whether it was incumbent Paul Hammond early on, then imports such as Nicky Johns or Zeljko Bilecki — but he found ways to prevail. 

“I’ve always had to fight and scratch,’’ DuBose said in 1980. “I realize competition is a part of it. It keeps you sharp. I’ve never been one to slack off work and I have a lot of pride. Over time, I developed a lot of confidence. I could play free and that gave me a lot of joy.’’ 

He also led the American Soccer League in goals-against-average (0.75) in 1988 during his second iteration with the Rowdies’ franchise. 

Beyond the Tampa Bay area, DuBose built a solid reputation while playing with the United States Men’s National Team from 1979-85, when he earned 14 caps. He also became the first American to obtain a “work permit’’ and play for Oldham Athletic in the English second division (1988-89). 

DuBose was an All-American at the University of Central Florida (1973-76) and inducted into the UCF Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000. He retired from soccer in 1992, having played 327 professional games. He has served as a mentor for young goalkeepers with the FC Tampa Rangers while coaching youth teams for more than two decades.