An open bar occupied press row. The glaring stadium lights were dimmed to a socially appropriate glow, forgiving newly etched wrinkles and added pounds. But alone in the student section of Cameron Indoor Stadium, two alums wished they could trade their blazers for blue paint.
"The hoops are gone and the stands are empty," said Ryan Shelton, Trinity '03, flailing his arms to distract an imaginary opponent attempting a free throw. "But I'm back in the zone."
About 600 members of the Class of 2003 converged in Cameron Friday for a swanky soiree that was equal parts orientation mixer and frat party-organic beer was on tap, though some alums yearned for the Busch Light of their youth.
"It's as awkward as being a freshman all over again," said Greg Williams, Pratt '03. "Finding out where everybody's from, what they do."
Alums said they were eager to catch up, reminisce and size up their peers.
"I'm judging you, I'm judging you," Shelton said, narrating his thought process upon finding old classmates in the crowd.
The group had its fair share of writers, teachers and graduate students, but a disproportionate number of alumni seemed to have struck it rich on Wall Street.
"I'm actually not an investment banker, strangely enough," 1st Lt. Alex Ford, Trinity '03, remarked with a shrug.
Female Blue Devils seemed to shy away from the reunion.
"[My friend] was like, 'None of the girls I used to hook up with are here,'" said Jenny Malcovitch, Trinity '03.
Alums added that time, and perhaps liquid courage, eased the sting of past indiscretions.
"I've seen people and I've ducked to the side," said John Wildt, Trinity '03. "But in general, because it's been so long, it's good to see random people."
Although the West Campus Plaza received top marks, many alums said they were avoiding run-ins with current students, especially the wide-eyed freshmen.
"We feel old," said Megan Andrews, Trinity '03. "We know we're not, but being here makes us feel that way."
But for other alums, being back on campus was just the jolt of youth they needed.
"There's not that much of a difference between 27 and 20," said Tony Tremble, Trinity '03. "I feel like I'm 17 years old and very irresponsible."
Gautum Agarwal, Pratt '03, said the warmth of liquor-on Duke's dime-brought him back to the days when inebriation was a forbidden state.
"I do feel like I'm back in college," he said. "I haven't drunk this much in so long."
And when the University-sponsored party began to grow stale, alums knew just where to turn to revive their nights, applying lessons learned freshman year.
"We're going to go to [Shooters II]-no cages this time," said Kristina Roddy, Trinity '03, admonishing her former roommate from Wilson Residence Hall.
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