The annual hoard of Duke students has erected dozens of tents in front of Wilson on their journey from the comfort of their dorm rooms to the brutal, not quite freezing (grace below 32 degrees) conditions of the great North Carolina wilderness of Krzyzewskiville. The tradition of rejecting heat and sleep for a tightly-squeezed, uncomfortable viewing experience of the Duke-UNC basketball game dates back over 30 years. This year, however, major changes from line monitors means tenting might look a little different.
“We are really trying to redefine the K-Ville experience to emphasize the three pillars that make K-Ville great: positivity, excellence and energy,” the line monitors released in a statement.
At a recent town hall, line monitors unveiled new rules for conduct in Cameron Indoor Stadium. In response to concerns that Cameron Crazies were simply “too uproarious” and “unsportsmanlike,” chants have been banned in Cameron. To prevent overstimulation of attendees, students are asked to limit themselves to a stern finger wagging and one “aw shucks!” per half.
“The ‘Hi, you suck!’ line is a step too far. Even UNC players deserve our respect,” said senior Fuht Balsckul, the newly-appointed Head Line Monitor For Inclusion and Positive Sportsmanship who has suggested that in place of jeers, students can decisively shake their heads at silly plays.
Concerned that the term “Cameron Crazies” might make light of mental illness, Balsckul also declared that tenters are to be called “Cameron Commoners.”
The town hall arrives as a part of a greater initiative to make K-Ville be more “inclusive, equitable, individual, communal, warm and sanitized” according to the mission statement adopted by DSG, in collaboration with the line monitors, earlier this year.
With help from Facilities and Management, K-Ville is slated for a list of renovations to make “the Ville” more homey and pleasant. To ensure that tenting is easy and no poor student has to suffer in the cold for any game ever again, Duke plans to invest in fairy lights to string around tents, fire pits and heated sidewalks in the walkways. To make better use of the space in K-Ville that is lacking tents this year, the left side of the lawn will be converted into a golf green.
Criticized by some for leading the “Kentrification” of K-Ville, line monitors have drawn heat from some long-time residents of K-Ville.
“It’s just not what it used to be. The culture has changed,” said junior Matthew McMann, a self-proclaimed Cameron Crazy. “Everyone in K-Ville used to be miserable and drunk all the time. Now people are well-rested and selling kombucha for $5 a can. This just isn’t the K-Ville I remember.”
The shifts come at a time when more and more people are concerned that Cameron has lost the “crazy” spirit — from throwing pizza boxes to lingerie on the court to heckle opposing players — that gave the Cameron Crazies their name. Line monitors in particular have been called out for slacking on checks and themselves not meeting requirements tenters are subjected to, to which Head Line Monitor Rick Shies responded, “Aww boo hoo, the tenters are mad again!”
Tent checks, the most dreaded part of tenting, have seen a major change. In place of a blaring siren, line monitors will now tip-toe from tent to tent, whispering softly in the ears of sleepers and asking them to rise. Line monitor cuddle sessions will also be held as regularly-scheduled spirit attendance events.
“Some people say K-Ville’s gone soft. But I say the line monitors are harder than ever!” Balsckul said.
Rebutting concerns that they are in bed with “Big Line Monitor,” Monday Monday is pitching a different kind of “tent” in K-Ville this week.
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