When the team returned from Clemson, several tents had emerged in K-Ville.  The Crazies who have moved into the tent village will be first to enter Cameron on March 3rd when Duke meets UNC.  Big thanks to the diehards already out there almost two months before the game!

The team has some big home matchups before the Tar Heels visit, starting tomorrow when Wake Forest travels to Duke.  A great Florida State squad visits on Saturday as well and as always the team is excited to play at home in front of the Crazies.

By the way, don’t forget to vote for the Crazies as the best Sixth Man in college hoops!

In Decembers past, holiday revelers have built gingerbread houses of almost all shapes and styles.  Margie Truwit (Duke ’11) and Swetha Sundar (Duke ’11) challenged that notion when they recently constructed “The Cameron Indoor Stadium Gingerbread House.”

This holiday masterpiece features a giant gingerbread Coach K Court surrounded by graham-cracker bleachers.  The gingerbread men in this work of art include Coach K, Margie’s starting five (Brian Zoubek, Nolan Smith wearing his Kanye shutter shades, Kyle Singler, Gerald Henderson, and Nate James), Dick Vitale (ready to crowd-surf with a blue wig on), the Green Man, media members on press row, and various other fans including front-row Crazies with “GO DUKE!” spelled out letter-by-letter in body paint (i.e. icing) across their chests.

Thanks to legendary Duke players, terrific coaching staffs, the Cameron Crazies and some savvy architects, Duke arguably owns basketball’s best arena.  Thanks to Margie and Swetha, the Blue Devils also boast the finest home court in the nation ever made of gingerbread.  Very impressive work by the Duke ’11 grads!

Cameron Indoor Stadium Gingerbread House

Cameron Indoor Stadium Gingerbread House's starting five

Dick Vitale... ready to crowd surf (also note press row complete with media members)

CONTEST RESULTS: How Crazies 903

As Coach K was making his historic push to 903 victories and the all-time wins record, Duke invited Crazies all over the world to show how they “903.” Duke fans from as close as on campus and as far as the Czech Republic responded with fun examples showing amazing support for Coach K and Duke.

“We’ve always had the best fans,” said Coach K in a message to contest participants.  “They’re so creative.  We see it in Cameron all the time and we also see it when we travel whether it be in New York City, Maui or wherever we go.  Our fans are Crazie.  And the latest thing, where you 903′ed — you showed how you 903 — was unbelievable.  Just unbelievable.   I loved seeing the creative, innovative ways that we 903′ed.  I want to thank you for participating in this and let’s just keep having fun, let’s keep winning, and let’s keep being Duke.  Thanks a lot.”

Contest winners were posted today on 903andcounting.com.  Stay tuned Monday for a mash-up video of contest entries with Coach K’s thank-you message to the Crazies.  Thanks again to all of the participants for turning “903″ into an impressive new verb.

As Coach K closes in on becoming the all-time winningest coach in Division I men’s basketball history, you as Duke fans can be a part of the special moment.

Starting today you can show the Hall of Fame Duke coach and Blue Devil fans across the world how you “903.”

How do you “903?” Good question. Click here for some inspiration.

Now, show us how you 903 and enter our How Do You 903? Contest. Help us generate some serious energy and excitement in support of Coach and his Blue Devils. Let’s help our legendary coach win game number 903 and many more!

Our panel of judges will view the contest entries, vote on the winners, and announce the winners on GoDuke.com and903andcounting.com.

Here’s how to participate:

Come up with an idea: Design any media (two minutes or shorter for videos, please) that shows how you 903. Be creative! Show us what 903 means in a unique way. Make a video. Go to work in Photoshop. Take a Crazie picture. Write, paint, draw, etc. Have fun with it.

Upload your entry: Upload your file to our DROPBOX

*Don’t forget to include your name, mailing address, email address and Twitter handle (if you have one) in the message field as you upload your file.

It’s that simple.

Deadline to enter is November 30th. Fans may enter multiple times (quality over quantity is encouraged).

Here are some of the prizes you could win:

• Two tickets right behind the Duke bench for an ACC home game (you’ll be in row B – Row A is the team bench where Coach K sits) and a chance to watch the postgame press conference afterwards.
• Authentic Duke jersey signed, and personalized, by Coach K, plus a selection of Nike Duke gear

There will be multiple winners for the following prizes:

• 2 tickets to Duke home game in Cameron
• Coach K autographed poster
• Team autographed 2011-12 poster
• Nike Duke tee-shirt
• Autographed copy of a Coach K book
• Twitter/Facebook shout-outs of your video
• Video posted on this website for Duke Nation to see
• All winners will be recognized in Blue Planet magazine (Duke Basketball’s team magazine)
• If you have any questions email Dave Bradley at dbradley@duaa.duke.edu.

As Coach K closes in on the 903-win mark, be sure to keep in mind some other ways you’ll be able to participate in the 903 celebration. As soon as Coach wins his 903rd game, duke fans are invited to get involved with any or all of the following on 903andcounting.com:

*Post a message congratulating Coach K

*Follow @Duke_ATHLETICS, @Duke_MBB, and @DukeBluePlanet for new questions every Friday morning at 9:03am as part of our special Twitter contest. The first correct response will win and the winners will be recognized on the site.

*Show your support for Coach K wherever you live. Send us your Coach K-themed photos taken around a notable landmark or your favorite place. For example, a Duke fan living in San Francisco could snap a shot in front of the Golden Gate Bridge while wearing a Coach K 903 shirt. We will post the pictures for your fellow Duke fans and friends to see. To send a picture, tweet the photo to @Duke_MBB or @DukeBluePlanet and use the hashtag #903 or send the picture to our email address, dukemensbasketball@duaa.duke.edu with the subject “903.”

Thanks for participating in this once-in-a-lifetime event and Go Duke!

Earlier this season, a group of Duke fans went above and beyond to show their support for Kyrie and his injured toe, creating a website and viral campaign.  The best fans in the business are hard at work again, this time creating a website supporting Nolan’s National Player of the Year candidacy.  Make sure to check it out.  We’re rollin’ with Nolan for NPOY as well.

The website: NdotSmittyPOY.com

This year’s race to the secret spot will involve more than one task.

Your first task is to follow this clue.

Go to the location where Trinity College played its first intercollegiate basketball game in 1906.

If you need help, you can always ask NOAH.”

END OF CLUE… NOW GO FIND IT!

Nike invites fans to support Duke, design slogan for new tee-shirt

LINK: NIKE’S CAMPUS ROAR SITE

Nike’s latest college hoops promotion is fun, simple and easy.  All you have to do is design a creative “roar” for Duke and fans can then vote on their favorite “roar,” which has a chance to then be turned into a Duke tee-shirt.  Click the above link to check it out.

Crazies launch hilarious website to help save injured toe of Kyrie Irving

The Crazies earned their reputation through dedicated support of their team and uncommon, spontaneous creativity.  The latest effort combines both.  Check out SaveKyriesToe.com… and be sure to pledge your support today!

Crazie Mark Baden offers insight on our Sixth Man

1. ALWAYS STAND IN CAMERON

The undergraduate section of Cameron Indoor “seats” roughly 1200 students; however, the Cameron Crazies never sit during games. Hence, we tend to get closer to 1,400 students in games, but don’t tell that to the Fire Marshal…

2. CHEERS START WITH ONE CRAZIE

Perhaps what makes the Crazies so unique and creative is the fact that anybody in the student section can start a cheer. A single person starts a cheer, several others join in, and then it spreads throughout Cameron like a California wildfire.

3. K-VILLE BECOMES HOME

The home of the Cameron Crazies from January to March is the hallowed tundra known as “Krzyzewskiville.” Krzyzewskiville is the area adjacent to Cameron Indoor Stadium, and it holds approximately 100 tents and a slew of inflatable air mattresses. The Crazies dig in for the rigorous ACC schedule through the cold winter by bundling up in sleeping bags, hoodies, and hand warmers.

4. RANDOM, SPONTANEOUS, PASSIONATE

Most Crazies like to show off their school spirit, while intimidating the dispirited opponent, by wearing Duke blue to the games and yelling until their voices are hoarse. You also will see numerous Crazies go above and beyond the call of duty with full body paint, hilarious signs or crazy costumes. When we are random, spontaneous and passionate, we are at our best and opponents are left wondering just exactly what hit them!

5. CRAZIES CAN FLOCK TO CAMERON IN GROUPS

The warm-up to the party in Cameron begins about four hours before tip-off in Krzyzewskiville. Before most home games the students enjoy grilling burgers, playing a few rounds of corn hole, and listening to jams. Students are able to form groups of 20 or more and hold their spot in line while preparing for a big game with a southern-style tailgate. Drop by K-Ville before a big game, and we’ll hook you up with a burger and a relaxed atmosphere.

6. LINE MONITORS KEEP ORDER

In order to effectively manage all of the happenings in Krzyzewskiville during tenting season, a group called the ‘Line Monitors’ is in place to ensure that the rules of tenting are enforced. Students apply and are chosen to be a member of the Line Monitors based on their track record as a tenter in Krzyzewskiville and overall devotion to Duke Basketball. The intentions of the Line Monitors are to facilitate a safe, fun, and sustainable experience in Krzyzewskiville.

7. FREE THROWS ARE TOUGHER HERE

One of the more entertaining aspects of the Cameron Crazies is our free throw shooting cheers. We use timing, volume, and any other possible distraction to force our opponent to clank a shot off the rim. Over the decades of use, we have found that the classic “shhhhh” and then scream cheer has the lowest average free throw percentage. The opposing player is duped into thinking we are silencing Cameron for his benefit, only to crank up the decibels as he releases the shot. And, of course, we all know about Speedo Guy and his valiant effort to help UNC’s Jackie Manuel miss both free throw shots. Free throw shooters beware; you never know what we might come up with next.

8. 2009-10 WAS UNFORGETTABLE

Last year’s 17-0 home record was punctuated by the 82-50 manhandling of Carolina. We also routed Maryland by 21 for Coach K’s 1000th game at Duke, and knocked off Clemson, Boston College, and Wake Forest by 20 or more points. It is an honor to be part of the best Sixth Man in hoops and we are all excited about helping to create more magic in Cameron this season.

Cameron Crazies remember classmate Drew Everson

Links: Crazies photos from the Princeton game | Campus remembrances of Drew

At our game last night against Princeton, the Crazies wore viking helmets as a tribute to Drew Everson, a Duke senior this year who passed away tragically on October 22nd.  Many of Drew’s closest friends were Cameron Crazies as Drew was a huge fan himself, seen at almost every home game cheering wildly wearing his viking helmet and serving as a line monitor.  Drew was very active on campus following his diverse passions and Duke Basketball was among his greatest interests.  I got to know Drew last year when he joined our student group and he always had infectious energy and an eager willingness to help promote our program.  Several of Drew’s friends wanted to put together a tribute video to share their memories and Drew’s lasting impact in Cameron.  Here it is:

The viking helmets in our student section: