Why I hate Duke's basketball team.
There are a few things I hate. I hate getting up in the morning. I hate the current administration. I hate Duke's basketball team.
For a while, I have been among legions of Duke-haters, wish losing seasons upon their final four franchise. I was reminded of all of this recently while listening to commentary on the unique hatred of Duke. It made me realize that I didn't know exactly why I hated Duke.
It's easy to hate Duke, in the same way I hate the Yankees, for their dynasty of winning. But it was different than that. And so upon thinking about it more I think I have figured it out.
What I don't like about Duke most, is that it is a school filled with privileged white students, who pay privileged tuition levels, in privileged buildings, with free, privileged iPods. So, in fact it's not the team itself that I hate so much, but rather the students and alumni who benefit from the team's winning. In fact, I really like Coach K: his methods, values, and work ethic. The problem is that I don't think all of that extends into all of Duke country.
Why should a bunch of people, who have had a great deal handed to them, also get a national basketball championship handed to them? They should experience the same type of losing for which their football team is synonymous.
Why do you think they are the blue devils? Many turn into devilish lawyers and devilish CEOs and devilish politicians. They all have a little devil in them, spreading evil (which is ironic for a Methodist institution).
Okay, maybe I have overstated my case, but either way, I think the big reason I hate Duke, is because the people who benefit from all those wins, really don't need any more winning in their life.
For a while, I have been among legions of Duke-haters, wish losing seasons upon their final four franchise. I was reminded of all of this recently while listening to commentary on the unique hatred of Duke. It made me realize that I didn't know exactly why I hated Duke.
It's easy to hate Duke, in the same way I hate the Yankees, for their dynasty of winning. But it was different than that. And so upon thinking about it more I think I have figured it out.
What I don't like about Duke most, is that it is a school filled with privileged white students, who pay privileged tuition levels, in privileged buildings, with free, privileged iPods. So, in fact it's not the team itself that I hate so much, but rather the students and alumni who benefit from the team's winning. In fact, I really like Coach K: his methods, values, and work ethic. The problem is that I don't think all of that extends into all of Duke country.
Why should a bunch of people, who have had a great deal handed to them, also get a national basketball championship handed to them? They should experience the same type of losing for which their football team is synonymous.
Why do you think they are the blue devils? Many turn into devilish lawyers and devilish CEOs and devilish politicians. They all have a little devil in them, spreading evil (which is ironic for a Methodist institution).
Okay, maybe I have overstated my case, but either way, I think the big reason I hate Duke, is because the people who benefit from all those wins, really don't need any more winning in their life.
2 Comments:
Ok, I saw this and had to respond.
Here's why I hate 'em: Uconn NCAA's, 1991: One week Tate George and 'The Shot' with one second left have me flying high, then next week they lose to Duke because Christine Laettner the punk ran over a Uconn player after stealing a ball in the regionals. And nothing was called.
I'm over it now though. Especially since we exacted revenge in 1999 in the Finals.
Sweet.
I hate Duke Basketball because I went to UNC.
It just happens to be a coincidence that they actually suck.
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