Off the Beaten Path

Durham

Going back to work after a vacation or tiring travel day is one of my least favorite things. But today, work was special. I got to tag along on The Duke Basketball Experience with a bunch of our students. As pretty much a die-hard fan, I enjoyed hearing all the facts and soaked up all the memorabilia – like this old team photo from my childhood years. Number 44 was my favorite player and I used to refer to 52 and 55 as the bald twins, even though they weren’t bald. That was kind of mean of me, but I was too little to know any better:)

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One thing I didn’t know is that on most school days, these basketballs are lined up and the whole team has to sign them before going to class or practice. The balls are then donated to various charities or auctioned off for a good cause.

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We took the secret player tunnel from the practice gym to the back of Cameron. Who knew so many people worked in the basement down here?

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Isn’t she a beauty?

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We headed over to the Emily Krzyzewski center, where our students participated in various team-building drills.

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Chris Carrawell coached the students! And Zoubek talked about persevering despite multiple injuries and winning the national title!! What a fabulous Monday morning treat!

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  • Kath
    November 7, 2011 at 10:00 pm

    So exciting!!

  • Kat
    November 8, 2011 at 9:27 am

    For whatever reason, the basketball signing-fact really hit me. It’s such a little thing for them to do every day, but the difference it can make from a charity auction standpoint is huge.

  • Rachel
    November 8, 2011 at 10:55 am

    this is awesome!

  • Megan
    November 8, 2011 at 1:44 pm

    Ok, you are totally speaking my language with the Duke basketball. Is it weird that in that old team poster, I could tell you what every players name is? I used to attend Coach K’s basketball camps when I was younger and grew up idolizing Duke basketball players like most girls did New Kids on the Block. Sounds like a fun day at work!

    PS – Zoubek was my husbands favorite player on the 2010 championship team.

    • Laura
      November 8, 2011 at 2:07 pm

      lol…glad someone knows what I’m talkin about:)

  • Mom
    November 8, 2011 at 1:54 pm

    Love the basketballs. Generous and creative. Do Duke!

  • Dad
    November 8, 2011 at 7:32 pm

    You sure got to see parts of Cameron that not many ever see. What year was that team photo ’93 or ’94? Amazing how many players I’ve forgotten.

    • Jen
      November 9, 2011 at 9:32 am

      Good question! At first I thought it was ’93, but I don’t see Bobby Hurley. Then I thought maybe ’94, but I don’t see Wojo. I do see Grant Hill and Chris Collins, though so it had to be one of those years!

  • Jen
    November 9, 2011 at 9:25 am

    #44 – Cherokee Parks!

    I am so envious of your trip to Cameron. I’ve been a Duke fan since the mid-80’s and have never been to a game there (it’s def on my bucket list!). I’ve seen the Duke team play in other venues, but my dream is still to go to a game in Cameron. The closest I’ve come is riding through the Duke campus and getting lost trying to find it. We eventually did and it was beautiful!

    Until I get to Cameron, I will just live vicariously through your blog. Tell Coach K hi if you ever see him! 🙂

    • Laura
      November 9, 2011 at 9:56 am

      That’s a good thing to have on your bucket list – it’s the most amazing experience. Glad there are other die-hard fans out there:)