Coach Krzyzewski has affected me by the way he displays leadership and confidence. By doing that he tought me, if you believe in yourself and the others around you, you can accomplish anything with hard work. Going to the Duke Baketball Camp really helped me believe.

December 21, 2000 was the worst day of my life.  My family owns a convenience store about 5 minutes from the University, one that Coach shops at  frequently.  That night, my father was shot in an attempted robbery.  The shot destroyed over 60% of his liver.

I will never forget the look on Coach’s face, and the tears in his eyes, when he came in and heard the tragic news.  Obvoiusly this was a emotional time for my mother and my family. 

Coach came in the next day with a box full of Duke autographed  items.  Some nice young ladies in the area made a huge banner to hang in my fathers ICU room.  He asked if he may sign it, and of course I said yes.  His words will forever touch my  fathers heart. "Dear Billy, stay positive.  I am pulling for you, Thanks for being MY friend." Mike Krzyzewski. 

I will forever be grateful for the visits in the hospital.  But those words spoke volumes.  To this day, Coach and my father are friends.  They joke and laugh like old pals.  He will always be Coach K., but we are so proud to call him "friend".

Coach Mike Krzyzewski has tought me the power of Following Your Heart.

Follow Your Heart
By: Farouk G. Mansour

When you feel that your lost and torn apart.
Follow your greatest compass your heart.

When you are feeling down, and you are wearing a frown.
Your Heart has the ability to turn that around.

When a decision is to be made, and the decision you fear.
Follow your heart, and the answer will be clear.

When you are in the midst of a battle, and your energy is what you lack.
Follow your heart and it will bring it back.

When you are living life and life throws out a test.
Follow your heart, and it will bring out your best.

When your dreams are slipping away, and you want to leave.
Follow your heart, and it will make you believe.

When you feel afraid, and the end is near.
Follow your heart, and it will erase that fear.

When your feeling down and you need to rise above.
Follow your heart, and you will recieve the greatest warmth of LOVE.

No matter what you face, if you follow your heart, you will beat it in any race.