10
UNC VS. DUKE BASKETBALL GAME AT CAMERON INDOOR STADIUM
Where?
Cameron Indoor Stadium
301 Whitford Drive
Durham, NC 27708
When?
Twice a year.
Significance:
Referred to as “The Battle of Tobacco Road” and “The Battle of the Blues,” the rivalry between Duke University and neighboring University of North Carolina is considered one of the most intense in college basketball history and sports as a whole. Eight miles may separate the schools, but they are considered worlds apart. Duke is a private university while North Carolina is a public state-supported school. To say this feud is intense is an understatement. Contempt, animosity, and hatred may be more appropriate terms. “Go to hell, Carolina, go to hell,” can be heard from the Duke faithful and Carolina will reply in kind with just as colorful language. Since January 24, 1920, the two teams have done battle twice per year. Wins do not prove college basketball superiority as these teams are already the crème-de-la-crème, consistently ranking in the upper echelon. This is about North Carolina pride. UNC holds the advantage in number of wins, but Duke came on strong with consecutive wins in the 1990s and 2000s.
Who attends?
UNC faithful, Duke loyalists, and college basketball fans entertained by the blood feud. Celebrities have even gotten into the mix recently.
How to get there?
Easy to find from RDU Airport and all points east. From the north, take South I-85. Traveling from the south, take North I-85.
Public transportation is available via Go-Triangle, including:
Durham Area Transit Authority (DATA)
1907 Fay Street
Durham, NC 27704
Phone: (919) 485-RIDE
Fax: (919) 560-1534
www.durhamnc.gov
Triangle Transit Authority (TTA)
Tickets:
For primary ticket access information, consider:
Duke Athletic Ticket Office
107 Cameron Indoor Stadium
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: (919) 681-2583
Fax: (919) 681-8741
Toll-Free: 1-877-375-3853
www.goduke.com
North Carolina Athletic Ticket Office
Ernie Williamson Athletics Center
Skipper Bowles Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Phone: (919) 962-2296
Fax: (919) 962-5529
Toll-Free: 1-800-722-4335
www.tarheelblue.com
Even a large donation to the athletic departments will not guarantee you a ticket to this game. With students camping out for literally months in advance, your best bet is the secondary market.
For secondary ticket access, consider:
GoTickets, Inc.
2345 Waukegan Road, Suite 140
Bannockburn, IL 60015-1552
Toll-Free: 1-800-775-1617
Fax: (919) 481-9101
E-mail: sales@gotickets.com
www.gotickets.com
Accommodations:
Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club (0.6 miles from campus)
3001 Cameron Boulevard
Durham, NC 27705
Phone
: (919) 490-0999
Fax: (919) 688-0105
Toll-Free: 1-800-443-3853
www.washingtondukeinn.com
Note: Luxury golf course named after Washington Duke and located less than a mile from campus.
Durham Courtyard
1815 Front Street
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 309-1500
Fax: (919) 383-8189
www.marriott.com
Note: Ten minutes from Duke. This non-smoking hotel provides reasonably priced breakfasts and a business center.
Homewood Suites by Hilton, Raleigh/ Durham
4603 Central Park Drive
Durham, NC 27703
Phone: (919) 474-9900
Fax: (919) 998-8804
Toll-Free: 1-800-CALLHOME
www.homewoodsuites.com
Note: Conveniently located in the Research Triangle district, this hotel provides convenient highway access to all local attractions and neighboring towns.
The Franklin
311 West Franklin Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Phone: (919) 442-9000
Fax: (919) 442-4040
Toll-Free: 1-866-831-5999
www.franklinhotelnc.com
Note: This luxury boutique hotel on Franklin Street is non-smoking, pet-friendly, and close to the University of North Carolina.
On-Site Hospitality:
The setting is similar to a high school gym with pizza, popcorn, and soda sold at a premium price.
Travel Packages:
If you are going to travel to this event, I would recommend using a reliable company to work with you on making the necessary arrangements. The suppliers listed in this book have solid references and are by far the most trusted in the business. Below are some of the organizations to try for this Top 100 Must See Sporting Event.
Premiere Corporate Events
14 Penn Plaza, Suite 925
New York, NY 10122
Phone: (212) 695-9480
Fax: (212) 564-8098
Toll-Free: 1-877-621-5243
E-mail: requests@tseworld.com
www.tseworld.comwww.pcevents.com
Premiere Sports Travel
201 Shannon Oaks Circle, Suite 205
Cary, NC 27511
Phone: (919) 481-9511
Fax: (919) 481-1337
Toll-Free: 1-800-924-9993
E-mail: sales@sportstravel.com
www.sportstravel.com
Dining:
The Cosmic Cantina and Lounge
1920 Perry Street
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 286-1875
Note: Locally famous for great Mexican food.
Anotherthyme
109 North Gregson Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 682-5225
Fax: (919) 682 3826
www.anotherthyme.com
Note: Their philosophy is based on “rethinking seafood and vegetarian dishes as not being secondary to the meat and potatoes thing.”
Bullock’s Bar B Cue
3330 Quebec Drive
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 383-3211
Note: The name says it all—great Southern barbecue.
Pops Durham
810 West Peabody Street
Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 956-7677
Fax: (919) 688-0098
www.pops-durham.com
Note: Committed to quality ingredients and support of local farmers, their menu changes with the seasons. My top choice in Durham.
Parizade
Erwin Square
2200 West Main Street
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 286-9712
Fax: (919) 416-9706
www.ghgrestaurants.com
Note: This restaurant touts “Mediterranean flavors at play.”
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
The Historic Dodd-Hinsdale House
330 Hillsborough Street
Raleigh, NC 27603
Phone: (919) 829-3663
Fax: (919) 829-9519
www.second-empire.com
Note: Great private dining room downstairs for groups of ten or more. Terrific wine selection.
Airport:
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
2600 West Terminal Boulevard
Morrisville, NC 27623
Phone: (919) 840-7700
www.rdu.com
Sports Travel Insider’s Edge:
Best way to watch the action:
Securing a premier center court middle section seat (Sections 6, 7, 14, or 15) will provide a great view of both the court and the student section. It is truly two shows in one.
Best place to get up close:
Get to know the Cameron Crazies in K-ville, a.k.a. Krzyzewskiville, by gaining access to the designated area where students stay in tents while waiting to get into Cameron for the game. You may even get a visit from Coach K himself, who has been known to bring a pizza to share or conduct an open-forum “team meeting” with the “campers.”
Best travel tip:
A stay at the Washington Duke Inn on Duke’s campus provides a five-star experience. While at the game, learn one of the many team-tailored taunting chants.
Notable Quotes:
“I’m biased, but I think this is the greatest rivalry, not just in college basketball, but in all of sports. . . . You believe this is just another game? Are you serious? Are you serious? There’s no way you can tell these kids it’s just another game.”—DICK VITALE, ESPN broadcaster
“It’s not about me vs. Dean, or me against Roy or Dean against Vic Bubas. Duke and Carolina will be here forever.”—MIKE KRZYZEWSKI, Duke head basketball coach
Relevant Websites: