Packing List:

-          sleeping bag

-          air mattress

-          captain’s chair

-          student ID

-          $5 registration fee

-          homework?

Destination: Basketball campout 2007

Details:

-          36 hours, punctuated by...

-          25 random siren checks throughout the weekend (including at 2:45am, 3:15am, 3:30am, etc.) to be completed by the...

-          2000 grad students registered initially, of whom...

-          just over 1400 make it through the weekend without missing more than one check, all to compete for the...

-          700 season tickets available

Highlights:

-          Surprise visit from Coach K and the team on Saturday night (followed by about 500 pizzas, courtesy of the athletic department)

-          Massages by the physical therapy students

-          Funnel cakes

-          Free Nalgenes from the Duke Alumni Association

End result: No tickets for me.

Brutal.

There’s always next year…

For now, I am back in the comfort of my apartment, with a new-found appreciation for the snooze function on my alarm clock and the ability to take a shower whenever I feel like it.

Overheard / read at campout:

“I believe in the basketball gods, even though I’m Catholic.” – Coach K, Saturday night pep talk

“Basketball campout: 36-hour party with a $60,000 cover charge.” – Fuqua t-shirt