TAILGATING WITH THE DUKE BLUE DEVILS


For readers familiar with my Tailgating Travels, it is not always about the tailgate.  Sure I love lots of good food and elaborate table settings ala the Ole Miss Grove .  No one can beat Ole Miss in the tailgating field.  But just as important is the mixture of people, fans and alumni that gather to greet old friends, to celebrate their schools’ traditions and to enjoy the football atmosphere.

Duke University is one of those special places; a beautiful college campus with a storied sports history.  More recently known for its basketball program, the football team, under the guidance of Coach David Cutcliffe, is bringing a renewed interest in football and of course tailgating.

I have never forgotten the first time I visited Duke and saw the Chapel.  

It is awe-inspiring. 

Duke University Chapel photo by Kathy Miller

When the Duke/North Carolina Thursday night game was announced, Dave and I knew a trip to Duke was a must. 

Our good friend, Bill Miller secured tickets for us.  Bill is a past president of the Duke Alumni Association and a fraternity brother of Dave’s.

Friends, Carson and Jeff Howard were our hosts and tour guides.  Jeff is the immediate Past President of the Alumni Association and serves on the Board of Trustees.

All were in school at  Duke during the same time.

Carson gave us a great walk about campus, starting with the Chapel.

Duke University Chapel in the Fall photo by Kathy Miller

 Three pipe organs grace the Chapel.  The Flentrop Organ located in the Nave.

Duke's organ pipes from the Nave of Duke Chaperl photo by Kathy Miller

The Chancel and main altar in Duke Chapel.

The Chancel of Duke Chapel photo by Kathy Miller

The van der Heyden Pavilion, a coffee/study area in the Bostock Library. 

the glassed in study/coffee area in Duke's Bostock Library photo by Kathy Miller

 I love this picture  from the outside of the van der Heyden Pavilion with  Duke’s architecture reflecting in the glass.Van der Heyden Pavilion,  coffee area in Bostock Library, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

 Dave shows Carson his dorm room freshman year, 3rd window up with the air conditioning unit.

Dorm on Duke campus where Dave lived his freshman year photo by Kathy Miller

 The Allen Building houses administration offices. 

The Allen Building, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

The stairwell in The Allen Building.  We recreated a photo from Dave and Carson’s yearbook.

Allen Building stairwell, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

 

Carson and Dave in Allen Building, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2014.  The gardens comprise 55 acres in the middle of a major research university.

Sarah P. Duke Gardens photo by Kathy Miller

The Red Bridge at the Asian Garden Area

The Red Bridge at Asian Garden area, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

Dave and Kathy visit the Red Bridge, Duke Gardens photo by Kathy Miller

Motifs in the sand on the pathways

Motifs in the sand, pathways in Sarah P. Duke Gardens photo by Kathy Miller

Leaf motif in sand pathway, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

I love chicken coops and this one is pretty special.

The chicken coop, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

The Burpee Learning Center

The Burpee Learning Center, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

 Many brides walk down this path in the White Garden, including Carson’s and Jeff”s daughter, Sally.

Path many brides walk in the White Garden, Duke Gardens, photo by Kathy Miller

The White Garden

The White Garden, Sarah P. Duke Gardens, photo by Kathy Miller

The Sarah P. Duke Gardens are beautiful any time of year, even in late November after leaf season.  

Duke Gardens was named among the nation’s “insanely beautiful public gardens” by the Huffington Post.

2013 Horticulture Magazine and the American Public Gardens Association gave Sarah P. Duke Gardens the “Award for Garden Excellence.” 

Free of admission, the gardens are funded half by Duke and half by donors.  Open year round.

One of my favorite things about Duke; the Chapel Bell Tower is visible from many locations on campus.

Duke's Chapel Bell Tower photo by Kathy Miller

I have attended many games and tailgates over the years, but very few have been held on a Thursday night during primetime.   I never thought about the logistics problem a Thursday night game creates for the school.  The normal Saturday game day tailgating lots are university faculty, staff, and administrative lots during the week.   Duke’s plan had staff vacating by 3-4 pm with lots opening to tailgaters by 5:30….And the kickoff was 7:30.  Imagine that logistics nightmare.

Duke pulled it off like a charm.  

Duke/INC  Thursday game parking lots start to fill up photo by Kathy Miller

We had a great parking spot thanks to Carson and Jeff and I never go to a game without my Tennessee rolling cooler.

Dave and my Tennessee rolling cooler photo by Kathy Miller

Our spot was next to the Rigsbee family Grave Yard, which was on my “to do” or “to find” list.  

Not sure many schools tailgate amongst tombstones!  Love the history and the saving of the Grave Yard.

Rigsbee Family Grave Yard photo by Kathy Miller

Tailgating with the Rigsbees photo by Kathy Miller Rigsbee Grave Yard, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

Bill and Stephanie Miller had given me Duke tailgating information for Loran Smith’s new book, “Spread Formation:  Tailgating and Home Recipes From College Football Greats!”.

Loran writes,”Even a serious Blue Devil fan might have to enjoy a drink with a seasoned Duke historian to become familiar with the days in Durham when Wallace Wade fielded powerhouse teams and played in the Rose Bowl. Then there was a consistency of split-T success under coach Bill Murray in the 1950s and ’60s — six ACC titles, 93 victories — and a brief spell when Steve Spurrier won 20 games in three years along with one ACC Championship. There has been a latent comeback under head coach David Cutcliffe, and nobody appreciates that more than Dave Miller, class of ’76.”

Tailgating at The Belk Bowl in Charlotte-Duke vs Cincinnati-first bowl appearance since 1994.

Tailgating at the Belk Bowl Duke/ Cincinnati game photo by Kathy Miller

Next on my list,  find the band.

Duke Drummers photo by Kathy Miller

Duke University drummers pregame routine photo by Kathy Miller

Duike Drummers with setting sun on Duke Chapel photo by Kathy Miller

Power Drummers, Duke University  photo by Kathy Miller

The horns Duke University band photo by Kathy Miller

Sunset on West Union Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

Krzyzewskiville at Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

I met up with The Duke Blue Devil. 

Kathy and Duke's Blue Devil photo by Kathy Miller

No campus tailgating is complete without cornhole.

Corn hole at Duke photo by Kathy Miller

Fans await the mascot, band and team.

Krzyzewskiville at Duke looking back at the tailgating tents photo by Kathy Miller

The band leads the Blue Devil Walk down Blue Devil Alley

Duke band leads the Blue Devil Walk down Blue Devil Alley photo by Kathy Miller

Serious Drummer, Duke band photo by Kathy Miller

The Tubas, Duke band photo by Kathy Miller

Coach David Cutcliffe

David Cutcliffe, head football coach Duke University, photo by Kathy Miller

Duke football players Duke/UNC game photo by Kathy Miller

More Duke football players photo by Kathy Miller

Duke football players 3  love the Varsity Jacket photo by Kathy Miller

Football players, Duke University photo by Kathy Miller

One of my favorite tailgating tables included a turkey shaped crudite platter, fashioned out of raw vegetables.

Thanksgiving Turkey Crudites platter photo by Kathy Miller

The Turkey Creators

Turkey Crudites Platter Tailgaters at Duke/UNC game photo by Kathy Miller

President Brodhead and wife, Cindy, hosted a wonderful pre-game tailgate or should I say homegate since it was held at The President’s house (Hart  House).  The tailgating buffet was set up in a tent adjoining the house.

Tailgating with the Brodheads at Duke, photo by Kathy Miller

Cookies for dessert

Duke/ UNC football cookies at the Brodhead tailgate photo by Kathy Miller

Bill LeFevre with our friends and hosts, Jeff and Carson Howard.  Bill is the Executive Director of the Sarah P. Duke Gardens and responsible for those beautiful gardens.

Bill LeFevre, Jeff and Carson Howard at President's Brodhead tailgate photo by Kathy Miller

The pregame fireworks

Fireworks as the Duke players enter the field photo by Kathy Miller

Duke football action photo by Kathy Miller

Young Duke fans enjoy the game photo by Kathy Miller

The Senior Band members are recognized at halftime.

Senior Duke band members honored at half time photo by Kathy Miller

That spark in the sky…

The All Veteran Parachute Team, Duke/UNC halftime photo by Kathy Miller

A member of the All Veteran Parachute Team

Parachutist at Duke/UNC game photo by Kathy Miller

The All Veteran Parachute Team entertained us at halftime with great landings.

The All Veteran Parachute Team lands a Duke's Wallace Wade Stadium halftime of Duke/UNC game photo by Kathy Miller

Final Parachutist floats over Wallace Wade Stadium photo by Kathy Miller

The final parachuter, sporting a Duke Banner, landed mid field.

The All Veteran Parachute Grand Finale with Duke flag on back photo by Kathy Miller

Even though the game did not go Duke’s way, Dave and I had such a great time visiting with friends and meeting new people. I met Beth Voltz in the line for the bathroom of all places.  We struck up a conversation and found that we had lots of connections between our SEC and ACC teams.  Her father was a Florida undergrad and Duke law school.  Her mom is a Florida State grad (and knows about the FSU circus).  Her husband is a Georgia grad and Duke Phd. 

Met lots of nice people at Duke/UNC game photo by Kathy Miller

I love what I do because I meet great people like Beth.

Thank you to all who made our trip to Duke special.   I love to visit with all the fans at their tailgates.  I love sharing their traditions and school passions.

Setting sun on Duke Chapel photo by Kathy Miller

Thank you Carson and Jeff.  Wednesday night we met up with their daughters Sally, Cameron, and Abigail, all Duke graduates.  Sally and Cameron have interesting blogs that I enjoy following.

Sally writes a great food blog Sally Cooks.

Cameron writes The Blonde at the Film, a blog featuring her love of classic films and Hollywood of the 1930s-1950s. 

With Christmas fast approaching, Loran Smith’s new tailgating book, “Spread Formation” makes a perfect gift for your college tailgating fan.

And I am working on my Duke Tailgating painting.  Won’t be ready in time for Christmas, but for any  SEC fan on your list, tailgating prints are available.  ACC is next on my list!

Tailgating Under The Arch

Tailgating under the Arch painting by Kathy Miller

Watch for upcoming stories from my tailgating travels.  I welcome your comments, recipes and any inside information on your favorite tailgating spots.

Come celebrate with me.  I’ll save you a seat at the table.

2 Comments

  • Dave Kempf says:

    Kathy,

    You will understand that I had to pull for NC as my Son-in-law is a graduate & Fan. Of course I have followed the NC/Duke BB rivalry for years-in fact that is the only ACC game I watch every year.

    Of course you know I bleed UK Blue but I watched Duke/WI this week & Duke is VERY GOOD this year.

    Glad you & Dave enjoyed the trip to Durham-publishing a book for the JL of Durham-Orange Counties that will be out next year. I will send you a copy when it is released.

    • Thanks always for your comments Dave. I would love to see the new cookbook when it is published. Durham is becoming quite the foodie place. Loved the restaurants there. Thought Duke looked very good during that game also. Will be hard to beat the Wildcats though. Should be a fun season and we will be homegating through all the basketball games.

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