MEMs at a Duke basketball game
Duke basketball had little impact on my decision to come to Duke but it has been a nice perk now that I am here. In my undergrad at UCSD, sports were more or less absent from school culture. It just wasn't a university priority to invest in sports. They refused to give out sports scholarships so naturally they didn't attract high caliber athletes. In some ways, I thrived on knowing that my money wasn't going to support team sports programs that I would only be able to enjoy as a passive partipant. I had and still have trouble understanding how being a star athlete entitles you to a free education any where you want. Shouldn't we be investing the money into the development of new leaders? I guess it comes down to pure economics. Duke basketball is Duke's biggest marketing campaign and I'm sure the money comes flowing back in from ticket sales, sponsors, etc. I can't say the same for Duke football.

As a believer of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." I jumped onto the basketball bandwagon. I showed my commitment early on by spending 36 hours camping out for season tickets and paying $150 for the golden ticket. Initially, I was hesitant about making such an investment, but attending my first game soothed my worries. Duke basketball is a religious experience. Think Roman coliseum days. All classes, undergrad and grad students, unite to be as rambunctious as they can to cheer on the team. The victims are the opponents and blood is drawn through severe blowouts. The game I attended involved a point differential of 60 in Duke's favor. The small size of the stadium also lends itself for an intimate connection. The student sections are stand only; while you give up comfort, the payoff is being able to pack more people in. This concentration of individuals only escalates the energy in the stadium. There are also a whole set of rituals to learn...errr motions and cheers.

To enjoy Duke sports not everyone needs to campout for season tickets. There are walkup lines where students get in for free, but this strategy will leave you high and dry for the big games like Maryland and UNC. Also, the campout experience is not just about getting tickets. It is the one time outside of sporting events where all the grad programs at Duke unite. It offers a chance to meet students from other schools around campus and to have an excuse to party for a whole weekend.

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