I have been a Duke fan my entire life. I don’t remember how or when it all started, but at a young age, I was cheering on the Blue Devils by myself. My dad doesn’t really care, and none of my friends did either. I was a cheerleader in college, but would rush home from our basketball games to watch Duke play. My college played Duke in the Great Alaska Shoot-out, and I cheered for Duke the whole time (my coach wasn’t happy…).

Coach K, to me, is the definition of class and respect. He walks onto the court and owns the arena…not with arrogance, but with pride and dignity. His emphasis on family and community is a huge part of his recruiting, and that is why Duke fans are Duke fans.

When I was in college, my sport facility and design class took a tour of Cameron (I had to sacrifice by going to Chapel Hill, too) and I walked through the locker room with chills and tears rolling down my face. I was amazed to be in such a beautiful place…with JJ Redick’s dirty clothes! My dog is named Cameron Redick, and he is my good luck charm when Duke is on. I have never been to a game in Cameron, but to be able to walk the hallways and see the rooms where the games materialize was just as satisfying. I hope to someday make it to see Duke play, especially in Cameron. I don’t know that I could be a Cameron Crazy like I picture, because I’m pretty sure I would sit in awe and cry the entire time!

Just yesterday, my friend came knocking on my door with an autographed basketball that said To: Kayla. Merry Christmas! Mike Krzyzewski. Again, I sat on my living room couch and cried like a baby! After reading his books, studying his basketball team, touring his facility…I had a little basketball that he signed for me! (Ok, I know he signs a million basketballs a week, but this one is far more important than the rest!) To talk about Duke and Coach K and the tradition that lies within, I cannot even make complete sentences without jumping around and getting off track!

I’m a 25-year-old girl that loves the Lord. I work in community mental health with about 70 clients that are mentally retarded and/or developmentally disabled. I have coached at all levels, and I love sports and I love my family. I feel that those things are the largest parts of who I am; however, I don’t know that I’m defined without Duke basketball.

I’m sure many people write that they met Coach K before their son passed with a degenerative disease or that his coaching style helped someone win a state championship somewhere, but those things are not true of me. I’m pretty regular with no real problems. I just love watching him coach. I love that he is the pillar of tradition that is Duke University. I want to have that impact on people someday, and I look at his success in basketball as only the small results of his enormous impact on people.

I don’t know who will read this, but thank you so much for allowing my friend the chance to get that ball for me. It’s ridiculous how a little Nike autograph ball can change a person, but I have been walking on air for two days. It was, by far, the best Christmas present I have ever received and I will cherish it for the rest of my life. =)

Merry Christmas!

Kayla
Charleston, WV