Duke football's 45-20 loss to North Carolina in Thursday night primetime Nov. 20, 2014 was not a game to remember for Blue Devil fans, but it will be remembered by the wallets of Tar Heel head coach Larry Fedora and athletic director Bubba Cunningham.
Laura Keeley of the News and Observer, obtained specific details regarding the damage done to the Blue Devil visitor locker room and practice facility following North Carolina's Nov. 20 victory at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Keeley writes that the total damages amounted to $27,170.44 for damages to the locker room, specifically the carpet, which was covered with spray paint. Spray paint also had to be removed from Duke's practice field and walls in Wallace Wade Stadium. Both Fedora and Cunnigham covered the damages with "personal checks" sent to Duke Athletics.
The duo sent the following apology to athletic director Dr. Kevin White on Nov. 25, 2014 after The Chronicle learned that the damages to the facilities would cost roughly $25,000.
"We would like to apologize to the Duke Football program and Duke University for some inappropriate actions after last Thursday night's game in Durham. Our team took the celebration too far when they were painting the bell, resulting in damage to some of the facilities at Duke. We take full responsibility for our actions and will be paying for all costs associated with the cleanup. We view this as a rivalry built on mutual respect and we expect our players to behave better in a way that is more befitting of the rivalry."
The announcement comes less than a week before the next installment of the Tobacco Road Rivalry, when No. 4 Duke hosts No. 12 North Carolina Wednesday night at Cameron Indoor Stadium. On the gridiron, the Blue Devils will travel to Chapel Hill Nov. 7, 2015 to face the Tar Heels. David Cutcliffe's squad has won two of the last three matchups in the rivalry.
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