Could YOU be a Cameron Crazie?

As I sat in the comfort of my home watching the DUKE vs GTech game, I thought to myself, I wonder if people know what it takes to be a Cameron Crazie. All most people know about these crazy (brillant) kids is what they see on the top of their screen for most Duke basketball games.

The preparation to become a Crazie starts in the month of October. During that time, it is the task of graduate students to camp out for a weekend to earn tickets. This wekend is not all fun and games as a siren is blasted randomly throughout the day and night for check ins to make sure that no one has left the camp site (parking lot). If you miss more than 2 horns you can kiss your chance at season tickets goodbye. If you are lucky enough to survive the 4am wake up calls you are then privileged enough to enter the lottery to win the tickets. What is your prize for winning the lottery, paying face value for the student card. And this is just for grad students.

For undergrads the camping is MUCH more intense. Students in hopes of making it into the UNC game in early march begin camping out for tickets in Krzyewskiville immediately following christmas break and must do this until the game in March. Only when temperatures are below freezing are people relieved from their tents. Think I'm kidding just the other day I saw a tent that collapsed due to snow build up.

If you are not a camper like myself there is still another option. It's called the walk up line. And just like it sounds you walk up and you wait. To give you an idea of how long you wait, I passed a group of individuals posted up in line at 3:00 this afternoon for the 7:00pm tip off.

Once you have been blessed enough to gain entrance into Cameron, each student is given all of about 1 sq foot of space and must quickly become comfortable getting intimate with their neighbors. Once in the space you better know your cheers and you better do them well and with enthusiasm or else you will be given many a dirty looks. My favorite, the nice and simple Lets (Clap) Go (Clap) Duke! Last but not least you can not leave early. And you must give a standing ovation to the Crazy Towel Guy. And you must find a way to cheer, Go to Hell Carolina..., no matter what the school the opponent is from on the night.

Now you know what it takes to be a CAMERON CRAZY! Could you do it? While many people would quickly say no, that ish is crazy. I leave you with this, once you have experienced Cameron Indoor Stadium you are hooked for life (This coming from a former Duke hater).