04
'Tis the Season.
"I'm So Excited To Be Back Here!" I scream at my boyfriend. I'm watching the Blue Devil surf over rolling pep band members in Cameron Indoor. Duke is playing Michigan and we were miraculously offered tickets this morning. He's never been to Cameron, and like many folks in the area, he's not only a huge UNC fan, but vehemently anti-Duke. To top it off, he hails from Michigan, so due to the location of our seats he's under strict instruction to either pull for Duke or say nothing. Our relationship is on the line.
But even he appreciates Cameron. Sports Illustrated once placed it #4 on its Top 20 Venues of the 20th Century--only surpassed by Yankee Stadium, Augusta National and Michie Stadium. And I remember why. The Crazies--Duke's wild and painted student section--are here in full force. Each of the starting Wolverines gets a personal greeting from the stands (HI DESHAWN!) The Roo Hop happens during tip-off. Crazy Towel Guy waves his white rag when called on by the crowd (and the guy dressed as Santa gets a call-out too). The band plays Seven Nation Army. Everyone is screaming and on their feet when Duke goes on a run. The Crazies chant "TIMEOUT'S OVER" when Michigan's late to the floor. The Blue Devil runs down the press table. There's non-stop noise for two hours except when Duke goes to the line. All of this in a 9,000 seat stadium against a team that's not even in the Top 20. Yes, even diehard Tarheels can love a game in Cameron.
I've loved Duke since I saw Johnny Dawkins play against Len Bias and Lefty Driesell's band of criminals in the mid-80's. But marrying into the Duke alumni family ten years later, and having periodic access to Cameron Indoor games, solidified my allegiance forever. Favorite Cameron moments include the Crazies yelling YOU SHOT THE SHERIFF at a dreadlocked Australian player as he shot freethrows. A sea of Ed Cota mugshots during UNC-Duke after his assault arrest. Sitting on the floor and watching Duke Women lose to Purdue in the NCAA final on the big screen in 1999--the same year the men also went to the NCAA final. And of course, Jeff Capal hitting the shot that threw Duke-Carolina into double overtime in '95.
Even though they played a sloppy game at times, Duke managed to rout Michigan 95-67. My boyfriend and I managed to keep our relationship intact--though, it's still early in the season. And I hope I've managed to post the first ACC basketball blog in our Tarheel-centric office. Because as we all know, it's important to hit the boards early.
