| Much of the highlights (or low lights if you happen to be on the receiving end of the abuse) from Cameron's past can be linked to the contributions of the Boggers. Boggers- members of the Bunch of Guys house, were sort of a fraternity without the secret handshake. What they were best know for was leading the way at Duke basketball games with some of the most creative and funny cheers. They were also know for leading the way in partying and the group was forced to disband after Dean Wormer had placed them on double secret probation (or something to that effect). Although the Cameron Crazies have continued in the great tradition of Duke fans, much of the planned cheers left with the BOG house. |
| THE OLD RELIABLE POLICE BLOTTER |
| One of the best sources for cheers (both in the past and in the future) is the local police blotter. Players unfortunate to have encountered the long arm of the law are always fan favorites at Cameron. This should make the upcoming Virginia game rather interesting and also explains why we've never seen Tark bring a team to Durham. Examples from Sports Illustrated include former NC State players Lorenzo Charles and Chris Washburn. Charles had been arrested for stealing some pizzas and encountered a shower of pizza boxes upon his introduction. Washburn was equally inept at larceny, having been arrested for stealing a stereo. Fans threw headphones, album covers and albums during Washburn's introduction. And I'm sure the you can imagine what the students threw on the court when the Southern
Cal Trojans came to town.
One of the most controversial of the Cameron moments was the result of Duke fans reaction to an opponents criminal behavior. In 1984 Maryland player Herman Veal was disciplined (though never charged with a crime) for allegedly sexually abusing a Maryland student. His pregame introduction at Cameron sparked a shower of over 1000 panties. One student held up a sign asking "HEY HERM, DID YOU SEND HER FLOWERS?" |
| OUR GOOD FRIENDS AND FINE NEIGHBORS, THE TAR HEELS |
| There is no other rivalry in college basketball quite like the Duke-UNC series. It is only fitting some of the best moments in crazie history came during UNC games. In the 1984 game, after the aforementioned pleas from the administration, the Duke students were not the wild and rowdy bunch people had come to expect. Instead, the visiting Tar Heels were greeted with signs proclaiming "A WARM AND HEARTY WELCOME TO DEAN SMITH". Questionable foul calls which would normally prompt a barrage of "Bull Shit" were now met with chants of "We Beg to Differ." Some Duke students even showed up with halos fashioned out of coat hangers and tin foil. There was also a sign which proclaimed "WELCOME FELLOW SCHOLARS" which resurfaced several years later when Jim Valvano brought his Washburn-Shackleford teams to Cameron. You can sum up the Crazies feelings for the Tar Heels by one sign held up at a Duke - UNC game: "CAROLINA BLUE IS PAST TENSE FOR CAROLINA SUCKS". |
| STAR PLAYERS GET STAR TREATMENT |
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Players know they've really made it when they become the focal point of the Crazies abuse. When Shaquille O'Neal made a pilgrimage to Durham for his annual, collegiate, Christian Laettner administered butt-whuppin the Duke students were ready. During the warmups the crowd chanted "Shaq can't jam" & "boomshaqalaqalaqa" setting the tone for later in the game. As the game progressed the crowd chanted "Shaq's gotta big ol' butt, oh yeah!". The combination of great Duke defense and a frenzied crowd clearly frustrated Shaq and by midway in the second half he had picked up his fourth foul with only 8 points and no dunks. The Cameron crowd responded with a chant of "One, two, three, four, Shaq can't play this game no more!" David Robinson and his Navy teamates were treated to "Abandon Ship, Abandon Ship" near the end of a Duke victory. Oldyn Polynice who had a bout with plagiarism, was met with a chant of "Where's Olden? - At the copy machine." |
| FINALLY |
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There are some things you can count on at a Duke game. If Carolina is playing you'll definitely hear "Go to Hell Carolina, go to Hell." NC State will bring out "If you can't go to college, go to State." If ex-referee Dick Paparo is calling the game the students will usually object to one of his calls by telling him "You suck Dick!" Once when this happened Coach K got on the PA and told us to stop. Next bad call: "You suck Richard!" |
