As a young boy, I spent my sick days home from school cozied up on the couch watching the official NCAA 1991 and 1992 Championship Videos, which chronicled Duke’s stellar runs through the NCAA Tournaments that I was too young to remember.  But one thing I will certainly never forget is the titles of those two videos — Duke is King and Blue Reign.

As if the regal word “Duke” and the use of royal blue wasn’t enough, all of the magic and mystique associated with majestic kingdoms was easily conjured in my imagination by the two movie titles.  Years later, I now find myself as one of many inhabitants of Duke’s Gothic Wonderland and the aura of the campus fuels my childhood thoughts of Duke as a kingdom.

Ask any Disney-loving youngster and you will soon discover that the most important part of a kingdom is its castle.  A symbol of strength, resilience, grandeur and pride, the castle is the kingdom’s crown jewel.  And while Duke’s Chapel may bear the closest physical resemblance to a castle for the University, its true castle stands in the hallowed and indiscrete Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Granted, the moats and buttresses are replaced with Krzyzewskiville tents and vintage steel rafters, Cameron Indoor nevertheless has been a stronghold for Duke Basketball over the past seven decades.  Just ask any opponent that tries to assail the castle and defeat Duke on its home court.  They quickly realize that the castle’s strength isn’t in its original 1940 construction of stone, brass and oak, but rather its loyal subjects — teamed with Coach K’s 13 uniformed men –to passionately defend it against any foe.  These subjects, known as the Cameron Crazies, are deservingly heralded as the best fans in the country and have helped Duke defend its home court in 720 of 868 battles, including 168 of the past 181.

So how did the Cameron Crazies become the most acclaimed college basketball fans in the country?  Their secret to success is the perfect combination of their perpetual passion, creativity, unwavering support and research they put into their opponents for every game.

The wild antics of the student body led the famous sportscaster Al Maguire to sport a pith helmet and whip, calling the place “a zoo” in a 1986 telecast.  Costumes, posters, and props are commonplace among the crowd.  In 2005, 266-pound UNC big man Sean May said of an incident with the Crazies, “A dude dressed up as me and he was following a Happy Meal on a fish hook.  That had to be funniest.  I’ll never forget that till the day I die.”  Many opposing players, like May, are victims of the distractions caused by the playful harassment of the Crazies.  Junior Dave McClure remarked, “Cameron has a way of constantly surprising you.”

The students also put their exceptional study skills to work in preparation for game time, digging up whatever info they can find on their opponents.  Indiana’s D.J. White recalled the Crazies knowledge, saying, “They knew my real name.  My real name is Dewayne.  They knew my mother’s name, my father’s name.  Somebody knew my girlfriend’s name.  That threw me off.  I don’t know how they knew that.  It was weird.”  The objective of the Crazies is to rattle their opponents with their wit, research and sheer loudness, and they are typically very successful.

The undying dedication of Duke’s most loyal faction is readily observable in their eagerness to weather the winter chill in the world’s most famous tent-city, Krzyzewskiville.  The tradition of pitching a tent outside Cameron Indoor can be traced back the Bill Foster era of the late 1970s when students would campout overnight to be in the front of the student section.  However it wasn’t until the mid-1980s that K-Ville became a regulated and administered campus activity.  Every year since, the green lawn outside of Cameron Indoor has become colored with numerous tents, an undeniable sign to all passersby that the Crazies, as Gerald Henderson noted, “Take the game as seriously as we do.”

This year’s first tent for the March 8th matchup with North Carolina set its stakes in the ground on December 6th, approximately 93 days in advance of the game.  This enthusiasm to help Coach K’s troops defend the home court propels the team to excellence.  Sean Dockery understood the dedication and sacrifices of the tenters before the Maryland game in 2006, saying, “We saw the Crazies camping out.  We just wanted to do this for them — they’re out there in the rain.  Playing in front of them is a feeling so emotional I can’t explain it.”  Traditionally, Coach K and members of the team will show their gratitude to the tenters each year with dozens of pizzas, photo-ops and conversations.

Yet, even the students that do not tent often wait in line for perhaps more than 24 hours for a choice spot in the student section.  The ability for the Crazies to have prime-time seats (read: standing bleachers) is truly unique and sets Cameron apart from all other collegiate venues.  The reservation of the seats closest to the court was in the original design of Duke Indoor Stadium by Horace Trumbauer in 1940.  Although one of the smallest now, the Indoor Stadium was by far the largest ever built in the South at that time.  NC State’s Reynolds Coliseum and UNC’s Carmichael Auditorium were later designed and built to resemble the atmosphere in Cameron.  However, unlike our local rivals, Duke officials have opted against building a larger arena and allocating the courtside seats to high-paying boosters.  The choice to stay true to the original design and prime placement of the students is a principle reason why Cameron Indoor has consistently been ranked among the top venues in all of sports.

ESPN’s Pat Forde understands this special position for the student body and its impact on creating Cameron’s electric environment. He wrote of Cameron as a “wonderfully quaint building where the home school buys into the wonderfully quaint notion that the student body deserves the best seats.  And the student body responds by creating the best atmosphere in the game.”  The ability for the students to be an arm’s reach away from the players and to make the court vibrate with stomping chants provides an atmosphere that is often replicated but never duplicated.

Indeed, the past couple decades have seen a rise in imitators of the Cameron Crazies.  According to Dick Vitale, a TV analyst who has witnessed games in all of college basketball’s best venues, “The Cameron Crazies set the tone and are emulated throughout America.”  Michigan State has the Izzone (named for Coach Tom Izzo), Illinois boasts the Orange Crush and Wisconsin has its Grateful Red.  Although the names are equally distinctive, it is impossible to match the intimacy, tradition, authenticity and ingenuity that define Cameron and the Crazies.  For example, one of the most widely used chants, “air ball,” was a Cameron original, created during a 1979 home game against UNC.  Also, numerous student sections across the nation bounce up and down prior to tip-offs and produce a constant yell during every defensive possession – both hallmarks of the Crazies in cozy Cameron.

As a result of the Cameron energy, originality and resourcefulness, opponents are outmanned from the start of the game as they face the six Blue Devil starters.  Coach K, who recently stated his goal of preserving Cameron as Duke’s home forever, has always accredited his team’s success to the strength and support of the Crazies, Duke’s sixth man.  He stated, “The Cameron Crazies, for me, have always been a part of the team.  I call them the Sixth Man and I think they give us unbelievable support in tough moments.   They are funny.  They create a music or atmosphere in Cameron that is conducive to having a great game.   They are not there to watch the game.  They are there to be a part of the game.  They take the game to another level and then they take our team or a person to another level.”

The importance and responsibilities that Coach K assigns to his loyalists are eagerly accepted and passionately fulfilled.  The result?  Arguably the most anticipated, difficult and feared road game for opposing teams — “the toughest road game in America” according to USA Today — the hardest castle to beset.  When the Crazies are on guard and Coach K’s charges take the court, the Blue Devils reign and Duke is king.

SHAE ANDERSON

Class: 2009

Major: Biology

Career aspirations…

My career aspirations include pediatric surgery as well as a newly-developed interest in orthopedics and sports medicine, which is thanks to my experience with Duke Athletics and observing first hand the benefits and excitement of working with sports teams.

Cheerleading background…

I participated in gymnastics and soccer from five years of age all the way up through high school. Since the time I found out I would be attending Duke, I knew wanted to be a Duke Cheerleader. My years of gymnastics and one year of high school cheering helped me transition smoothly into collegiate cheerleading.

What is the most rewarding part of cheering for Duke Basketball and what is the most challenging aspect?

The most rewarding part of cheering for Duke Basketball is being part of such an astounding basketball legacy and all of the enthusiasm for the game that that encompasses. I’m so thankful for being able to share this experience with a group of great girls and for being in a position where a simple wave, autograph, or picture will make the day of almost any young Duke fan and put a huge smile on his or her face, especially those four-year-old girls aspiring to become Duke Cheerleaders.

What is a typical week like for you during the basketball season?

A typical week of practice might be around ten hours a week depending on the game schedule and will include rehearsing choreography, learning new dances, conditioning and cardio workouts, as well as tumbling practices.

Something about the Duke Cheerleading team that Duke fans would be surprised to know…

Our team is a very close-knit group of girls and when we travel, our favorite team activity is playing a game called Catch Phrase in the hotel. The object of the game is to try and get members of your team to guess a specific word by giving them clues. It is something we love and get really into. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that we’ve even been asked to quiet down while playing the game before.

What has been the exciting moment in Cameron this year?

One of the most exciting times for me this season was when Duke trailed NC State at the half but quickly got things together for the win by sinking one lofty three pointer after another and by connecting passes down the court that finished with an impressive dunk. It is always exciting any time we secure a lead with a great play because the Cameron Crazies and fans (including Crazy Towel Guy) start cheering uncontrollably. I find myself laughing along with the excitement and blown away by the noise — We must have set some sort of record by now!

What is the process and what are the requirements for a person to become a member of the Duke Cheerleading Team? How many usually try out?

Tryouts are held at the beginning of every Fall term for the new freshman class or other upperclassmen wishing to cheer for football and women’s basketball. Another set of tryouts are held at the end of the Spring term for rising sophomores and upperclassmen wishing to cheer for football and men’s basketball. The numbers of those who try out range from about 20 to 40 girls. We look for girls who have the skills to learn and perform dances, good jumps and tumbling, confidence, an ability to get a crowd going, and a big smile!

What has been the most memorable moment you have witnessed in Cameron?

One of the most memorable moments I have witnessed in Cameron is when J.J. Redick’s jersey was retired. It was great to see how he continued to develop both on and off the court since his time at Duke concluded. His appreciation for his experience with Duke Basketball and its profound impact, which he will continue to carry with him, gave me a better perspective on the four years I will spend cheering at Duke. It made me realize that although my time in Cameron may be short, my memories and experiences will extend far beyond my graduation date.

What advice would you give to a high school freshman who wants to get into Duke in four years and become a cheerleader?

I would advise anyone wanting to cheer for Duke to keep working hard on perfecting dancing, jumps, tumbling, and general fitness. Endurance is an absolute necessity for cheering through long football games and for withstanding the heat generated inside of Cameron! If you are currently involved in other sports or activities, I would advise you to pursue those along with cheerleading because we are a very dynamic team that likes to incorporate a variety of athletic and dance backgrounds.

What is your favorite Cameron Indoor Stadium tradition and do you have a favorite cheer or band song?

My favorite Cameron tradition is how the Crazies affectionately give a warm “Hiya so-and-so” during pre-game introductions to welcome every opposing player and coach by name. And, although I feel pretty silly doing the Rock Lobster dance, it is unique to Duke Cheerleading and is another tradition that is so much fun to do.

What kinds of activities does your team participate in outside of basketball games?

In addition to cheering at games, the team also participates in general sports promotion and school spirit events around campus. Duke Cheerleading volunteers to host instructional clinics for middle and high school cheerleading teams a couple times a year. We are also involved in the Read with the Blue Devils Program, Habitat for Humanity, the Urban Ministries Soup Kitchen, and even volunteering at cheerleading birthday parties.

I know a number of schools offer scholarships to cheerleaders but Duke doesn’t. What are the positives and negatives of this?

The positive of not having scholarships for Duke cheerleaders is that Duke Cheerleading is not in competition with other schools for cheerleaders or their cheerleading program. By recruiting girls who are already invested in Duke, we can select cheerleaders that already have a love for Duke University in order to build a team that is specific to the demands and traditions of cheering for Duke athletics. The negative of not offering scholarships is that we sometimes lose very talented and experienced cheerleaders to schools with a competitive cheerleading program.

You get to watch the basketball games so close to the action. What have you learned about Duke Basketball while having the opportunity to watch from that vantage point?

Being courtside, I have learned how well the players communicate and encourage one another during the game. I can tell that the team and coaches are like a family that’s always there cheering you on, but isn’t afraid to give you tough love when it’s needed.

In three sentences or less, how would you describe gameday in Cameron to a person who has never stepped foot in Cameron?

On game day, you’ll be shocked to see the dedication of all of the fans who sleep on sidewalks or in tents just to be there. You’ll be awed and inspired by the high level of play and passion that Duke’s basketball players and coaches bring to the court. You will be overwhelmed by the witty cheers, energy, and noise that fill Cameron Indoor Stadium.

You do a number of routines involving lots of skill and practice in front of a large and passionate crowd. With that in mind, what are your emotions like during a game?

Regardless of the outcome of the game, I am always proud to wear Duke Blue. Throughout the game, there are a lot of moments of intense excitement roused by the players and fans. In general, the atmosphere in Cameron is a very inviting one and I rarely get nervous when performing during time-outs or pre-game. There is always an overarching air of confidence in Cameron Indoor that gives me a lot of faith in the team and crushes any anxious feelings I may have going into a game.