LET'S GO DUKE, LET'S GO DUKE...........
That's a common chant you will hear around the Whitt household around the end of March, and if we are blessed like this year, the beginning of April. I have been a diehard Duke basketball fan since 1992, but have really sold out to the devils since around 04. My brother and I have been able to make a trip to Durham to watch an actual game in Cameron and also see players, get autographs, and get pics with folks like JJ Redick, Demarcus Nelson, and Sheldon Williams.
This year, I was able to go up to Duke University with my buddy Rusty and actually watch the guys have an actual practice and meet them afterwards. It was very surreal to be there in October and be able to rebound and chat with guys like Kyle Singler, Jon Scheyer, and Nolan Smith. Not only did we get their autographs, but we were able to stand around and chat a little bit with them after the practice was over. The following day was a dream come true for me. I was not able to meet or really even see Coach K when my brother and I made the trip to Durham. But during this trip, I was able to meet him, get an autograph, and a pic which was totally awesome!!! It's a memory that I will cherish forever.
So unbeknownst to us, the road trip that Rusty and I took in October was to actually hang out and watch the 2009-2010 National Champs practice. As the year progressed, we cut up about them winning it all and selling our basketballs. Although I hoped it would happen, I did not know whether or not we had the team to do it. As tourney play started though, we had a good draw and were playing some very good basketball. As it got down to crunch time, I knew we were going to have to beat some very athletic teams, which has been our achilles heel the past couple of years. But down went Baylor, and down went West Virginia (which was major sweet) and then came the fun part.
My pastor is from Iowa and is a huge Kansas Jayhawk fan. 2 years ago, when they won the title, we had a party and watched the game at his house. It was a crazy game which had some major heart attack moments in it. We were able to help root our pastor's jayhawks through and how fun it was. Now, it was time to return the favor for our blue devils. Everybody and their brother was rooting for Butler (I would have been too if it were anybody but Duke), but we had the bball party and rooted on our blue devils. It was very similar to the game 2 years ago with plenty of heartattack moments, yet ours went all the way to a last second hailmary shot that almost went in. We celebrated and were ecstatic!! It's fun to watch your team win, but it's really fun when you have a lot of people together and watch your team win. Pastor Jerry's house is now deemed the "House of Champions". If you have a team that you pull for and want to see them win a national championship, you better head to his house when it counts!!! Thanks for letting me relive the moment!!
GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
