I am not one to talk a lot of smack before a Carolina – Duke game BUT I never hesitate letting people know how much I hate Dook University.  Let me explain.

 

Beginning at birth, I was told that I would go to Carolina one day.  Honestly, I never thought any different.  In the Fall of 1988, Carolina was the only university that I applied.  On a Thursday in December 1988, I opened up the mailbox to find a thick envelope from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  I cannot tell you what a life-changing moment.

 

In August 1989, I stepped foot on a campus to live in a dorm that had more people than the town where I grew up.  Better yet, the street where my dorm sat had more stoplights than the entire town.  There were more students living on one floor of my dorm than students that attended K-12 in my hometown.  I felt like one of the Clampetts in the Beverly Hillbillies.

 

I was raised to respect the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC).  If Carolina was not playing, I was expected to cheer for any ACC team if they were playing outside the conference or cheer for any NC school over the out-of-state conference teams.  That really never changed, with ONE exception.

  

After one month on campus, there was a hate that began to consume me.  Every time this one team was mentioned, I would be one step closer to a diarrhea event.  For some reason, I became a DOOK HATER.  There is much speculation as to why this occurs in many students that attend Carolina every year.  Maybe it’s because 80% of the students do not appreciate the South because they have never lived here.  Maybe it’s because they have no game other than basketball or golf at Duke and have to constantly invade the nightlife on Franklin Street.  Maybe it’s because most Duke students do not know how to stinkin’ drive or have common sense.  Who knows???

 

I can admit that I have appreciation for Coach K’s accomplishments and how he has built Dook basketball.  I have to appreciate the recruiting prowess and the caliber of players he attracts.  I can appreciate it even more because my boy, Roy, has quite the rep too.

 

You see, I am not just a Carolina Basketball Fan.  I am not just a Carolina Football Fan (when they’re winning).  I am a Carolina Fan.  I am that kind of Carolina fan that wants my kids to know what Carolina is all about from the academics to social activities to sports.  I am the kind of Carolina fan that loves to walk on campus at the change of the seasons, I am the kind Carolina fan that loves the Old Well and the Bell Tower.  I am the kind of Carolina fan that loves to watch student athletes sign autographs for kids at Sutton’s Drugstore (even when they are between classes trying to grab lunch).  I love the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

As for tonight, with or without Lawson, I will be cheering for the Heels.  Win or lose…I hope that the boys in the darker shade of blue have a harder time getting out of bed in the morning. 

 

Peace Out!