DURHAM, N.C. (WNCN) – Duke’s Countdown to Craziness again brought a crowd of Blue Devil fans on Friday night outside of Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Students, faculty and families hoped to celebrate the annual tradition in a special way.
“The big thing is the mystique of Duke basketball and the history, what it stands for — it’s a unique place to play,” said Daniel Cox.
The Indiana father said the family traveled to the campus to get the full experience and support Mason Gillis.
Jack Casey, a Duke senior, said, “We’re all excited for basketball season again. Every year we think this is the year. This is really the year right now — we want [six national titles).”
The celebration didn’t only bring a growing crowd, but also a growing number of boxes filled with everything from canned food items and baby formula to clothing and cleaning supplies.
“They asked us—do you want to do a donation drive?” said Maddie Porsley, marketing and events coordinator for the moving company, Two Men and a Truck. She continued, “Would anyone be willing to bring a truck and help us load some donations? Of course, we said yes, right away.”
Porsley said the moving company partnered with the university to directly help families impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. The loaded truck will be headed directly to Asheville.
“I’m not super familiar with the Duke family, but it’s been a really cool experience,” said Porsley. “Everyone has been really happy to help—We even had some people pack some things for us as they’re walking by. It’s been really amazing.”
Catherine Majestic, a Duke faculty member and mother of two, said the storm hit close to home. On Friday, she stopped on campus to drop off coats and diapers.
“We do have friends and family there. Fortunately, they’re back in Durham and Charlotte with family,” said Majestic. She added, “It’s just devastating and heartbreaking, the stories we’ve heard… I’m grateful for North Carolina, our governor, and people who are just coming out to support.”
Porsley believes it’s a testament that’s shown the power of support from people living in this state. She’s hopeful it will support the long haul ahead. She added, “As a moving company here, we see a lot of the state and we meet a lot of people. For the people who lost it all, I hope we can just bring them their needs and help them get back to life.”
Porsley said they already had one delivery of donated items arrive Friday and they plan to transport another on Saturday.
Families who helped also received an incentive for their support. For every five items donated, fans could purchase a ticket that included the following: $25 for one east reserved football ticket vs. Virginia Tech (Nov. 23) and one reserved women’s basketball ticket against Belmont (Nov. 21); or $45 for one general admission (standing room only) men’s basketball ticket vs. Seattle (Nov. 29) and one general admission women’s basketball ticket against Belmont (Nov. 21).
Donations will continue to be accepted at the Duke Athletics Ticket Office in the Scott Family Athletics Performance Center during regular business hours through Friday, Oct. 11.