Crazy at Cameron

Official Review by Paul Swaney, Stadium Journey Co-Founder

Cameron. The word may make you think of a former NFL and college head coach, a character in Ferris Bueller's Day Off sporting a Detroit Red Wings jersey, or a beautiful blonde actress. But if you're a fan of college basketball, you are much more likely to conjure an image of Cameron Indoor Stadium, home of the Duke Blue Devils basketball team.

The stadium is also home to one of the great student sections of all time, the Cameron Crazies. And, perhaps the second greatest college basketball coach of all-time (John Wooden takes that title in my book), Mike Krzyzewski also helps to make this a special place to see college basketball.

If you jotted down a list of the stadiums you would most like to visit in your lifetime (try it sometime), Cameron Indoor Stadium would likely make your list, and you would be right. Do it. Make the trip. You'll be glad you did.

Food & Beverage    2

Let's get the bad news out of the way first. The food selection at Cameron Indoor Stadium leaves a lot to be desired. I understand that you didn't come here for the food, but having a pleasant bite can only help the experience. I also understand that this is an old building with limited space for concessions, but frankly it doesn't matter. In this day and age, the offerings should be better.

You won't starve however. You can choose from a hot dog ($3), nachos ($5), or Domino's pizza ($8). Coca-Cola is the soda of choice ($4), and there is bottled water on hand ($3). The advice here is to eat beforehand, you'll need your strength.

Atmosphere    5

There isn't a whole lot of space to spare once inside Cameron Indoor Stadium. You'll walk through the main entrance and can either immediately enter the bleacher seating along one of the baselines, or head upstairs. Up the stairs you'll find some cool displays with tributes to Duke's rich basketball history, so take the time to completely walk the concourse before the game.

Four championship banners hang behind one baseline. Final Four banners hang in the rafters, almost as an afterthought. Retired jerseys ranging from Dick Groat to Johnny Dawkins to Christian Laettner to Grant Hill to Shane Battier also hang above. It gave me one of those feelings that is hard to describe as I peered around the arena. It feels like a mix of awe, joy, and anticipation.

I attended an exhibition game, and thought that I may be missing out on everything I expected, but when I saw scalpers selling tickets 4 hours before tip time, and a few students sitting on the sidewalk in Krzyzewskiville, then I knew this was going to be a great night.

Seats in the upper section are chairbacks with average leg room. Down below, there are padded bleachers which provide a great view of the game, but are a bit cramped. If you want to sit amongst the Cameron Crazies, then you need to be able to show a Duke student ID, and be prepared to stand, chant, and cheer. You'll have a fine view no matter where you sit, but my recommendation is to shoot for section 6 or 7. You can be seated at center court, and have a view of the Crazies.

There's a large scoreboard above center court that was installed in 2008, but doesn't seem too big for the size of the facility. At any point in the game, you can quickly see who is on the floor, and their basic stat line.

Neighborhood    3

The Duke University campus is beautiful, and it is worth your time to meander around a bit if you can afford the time and the temperature is pleasant. From there, head to Main Street and Devine's Sports Bar & Grill. There is Duke paraphernalia covering the walls. The menu features excellent burgers, with Duke-inspired names like the Coach K Big D Sandwich. They also have a good selection of beers including local options.

The Tobacco Road Sports Cafe is also a good option. Their concept is good food and the sports bar feel, and they pull it off fairly well.

Fans    5

The Cameron Crazies are well known as one of, if not the best student sections in college basketball. They are almost as entertaining as the game itself, and have an endless supply of creativity and energy. Be sure to sit on the same side of the floor as the player benches so that you will be able to view the Crazies throughout the game.

They have several fun chants and cheers, and when opponents inbound the ball in front of the students, it is a lot of fun to watch, but probably not as much fun to experience. My favorite was sort of a sound effect play-by-play, where the students yelled "boing" with every dribble, "pass" with every pass, roared whenever the opponent held the ball, and shouted "SHOT!" when the shot went up, cheering wildly when it ended in a successful defensive stand.

The other fans are engaged and supportive as well, and fulfill the menacing nature of this building, but the Cameron Crazies are the stars without a doubt.

Access    3

Parking took a little bit of driving around, but if you know where you're going, then you should be just fine. There is only one major general parking lot, with almost all other parking going to Iron Dukes pass holders. If you can arrange for a pass ahead of time, then it may be worth it. If not, then head for Towerview, where you should be able to find free street parking if you're there early enough (about 3/4 mile walk from there), or you can head to the large public lot off Circuit Drive ($10). The price is right, but the walk may be a bit daunting for some.

Inside, the concourses are a bit on the narrow side, and the bathrooms are rather small as well. None of this will put a damper on your trip, but it is what it is.

Return on Investment    5

If you can get tickets to a Duke basketball game, then go. The problem is that even non-conference battles against overmatched opponents will likely cost you $100 to start, and tickets for a game against arch rival North Carolina will take thousands. If you find a ticket for under $100, then jump on it, regardless of the opponent. The food is average at best, and parking isn't great, but even so, it is worth every single penny.

Extras    5

One extra point for the Cameron Crazies, because our 5-point scale just doesn't give them justice. Another extra point for being able to sit in a building with so many championship banners.

The Duke Blue Devil mascot does a wonderful job of revving up the crowd, and I especially enjoyed the stunt where he rides a surf board over a rotating group of students.

The floor inside Cameron Indoor Stadium has been dubbed Coack K Court in honor of the legendary coach, and it is an honor to be able to watch him coach. Even in an exhibition game, he is teaching, riding refs, and generally intense throughout.

I was also lucky that the NBA was locked out so I could sit 6 seats away from Celtics coach, Doc Rivers, watching his son Austin play for the first time in Cameron Indoor. Also in the crowd were Number 1 pick Kyrie Irving, and former Duke star Nolan Smith. Former NBA veteran Del Curry is often on hand to watch his son Seth.

There is a sign in a corner of the arena "Kounting" Coach K's all-time victories as he nears, and eventually passes the 902 mark set by Bobby Knight, Coach Krzyzewski's mentor.

Final Thoughts

Duke basketball has been on my must-see list for some time, and I walked away feeling like it lived up to my expectations, even for an exhibition game. It is worth the money you will spend, and although there are some elements that could be better, thus affecting the overall score on our FANFARE scale, it is easily a trip that every fan of college basketball should make.