This article was written by Emmanuel Morgan and published by the New York Times.

Durham, N.C.

This year, the Duke University community has been focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, especially among the passionate basketball fans who are camping out to secure the best seats for the upcoming rivalry game against the University of North Carolina.

The group of university attendees who support the Blue Devils team, affectionately known as the “Cameron Crazies,” use “cheer sheets” to mock their adversaries at Duke’s small and lively arena. These sheets contain information about opposing players and include harsh criticisms. In previous matches against UNC, one player was deemed “the most unattractive player in the NCAA” and another was accused of not being allowed to reside within 200 yards of a school.

The suggested cheers were occasionally aimed at specific players, such as “Caveman” for someone with long hair and a beard, but mostly harmless, including “Go, Devils, Go” and “Baby!” Duke fans often shout and gesture at opposing players as they receive the ball.

During a DEI town hall organized by Duke’s student government, attendees were urged to exercise responsibility when engaging in heckling of rival players and to avoid using offensive language, as reported by The Chronicle, Duke’s student newspaper.

A meeting was held at the town hall where basketball players and members of the athletic staff shared their thoughts. This gathering was specifically for students who participate in Krzyzewskiville, also known as K-Ville, in honor of former men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski. The university reported that approximately 100 individuals were in attendance.

Sophomore biomedical engineering major David Ntim is currently camping in Krzyzewskiville. He did not attend the town hall, but stated that he comprehended its purpose.

Ntim explained that he understands the need for discussing how to support individuals and find a balance when it comes to heckling.

Duke and the student line monitors in charge of the tent village responded together via email, noting that the town hall was organized by the student group as part of their efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-Ville and strengthen the sense of community surrounding Duke basketball’s traditions. Kyle Serba, a representative for Duke’s men’s basketball team, stated that the event was not a result of any specific circumstances involving Duke students.

The university has faced allegations of disorderly conduct by both the student body and external groups.

In 2013, a basketball player from North Carolina State alleged that the student section at Duke University had made offensive remarks about his deceased grandmother. Similarly, in 2022, a volleyball player from Duke University reported being targeted with a racial slur by fans at a match against Brigham Young University. Following both incidents, the host school conducted investigations and concluded that there was no proof to substantiate the accusations.

Efforts towards diversity, equity, and inclusion on college campuses have been dividing, as shown by the recent decision of the University of Florida to eliminate all related positions.

According to Danielle Boaz, a professor of Africana studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the town hall hosted by Duke University may be a touchy subject as it could potentially upset some benefactors, or the intentions of the event could be misunderstood.

Regrettably, simply expressing, “Hey, we should not be discriminatory,” can be perceived as being too progressive or too socially aware,” Boaz stated.

Duke and the line monitors said that discussion points at the town hall included using inclusive and respectful language, as well as an overview of conduct rules at Krzyzewskiville and at games. They said cheer sheets “are a classic part of our game day traditions” and “have always aligned with our goal of ‘heckling responsibly.’”

In the past few years, the student governing body has made attempts to increase accessibility to Krzyzewskiville through offering financial assistance in the form of camping equipment. As stated on the university’s official website, the estimated yearly expense for attending Duke is approximately $83,000.

In 1986, Krzyzewskiville emerged as a vibrant community near Durham’s Cameron Indoor Stadium, which served as the epicenter for Duke University’s impressive basketball prowess under the leadership of Coach Krzyzewski. Over the course of 42 seasons, he led Duke to five national championships before officially retiring in 2022.

Duke students often camp out in tents for several weeks leading up to the yearly home game against nearby rival, the North Carolina Tar Heels. This intense competition is highly regarded in the world of sports and holds significant cultural significance in the state.

Dan Aldridge, a professor at Davidson College, near Charlotte, states that it is important to maintain a delicate balance when it comes to DEI. This is because while it should not take away from enjoyable experiences, it should also be inclusive for the entire community.

He went on to say, “In the case of Duke, there is a particular setting due to their famously unpleasant fans.”

Insensitive conduct from professional fan bases has also been a concern. Native American groups have long protested the tomahawk chop gesture used at Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Braves games. A soccer match in Las Vegas ended early last year as supporters of the Mexican national team erupted in anti-gay chants, and the year before, someone in the Paris crowd threw a banana at a Brazilian soccer player.

Boaz stated that sports are often a source of tension and we often try to separate it from politics, but this is never entirely possible.

This piece was initially published in The New York Times.

Source: wralsportsfan.com