When did the "Cameron Crazies" decide to be crazy?
At some point in history, Duke Blue Devil basketball became the national title-winning program it is today. And, sometime during the mid-1980s, the students of Duke University decided their team needed a student section to complement their team's effort on the court.
The arrival of Coach Mike Krzyzewski, more easily pronounced and spelled "Coach K," ushered in a championship era of Duke basketball.
The Blue Devils' new attitude transferred over to its student section, and the group known as the Cameron Crazies found they had become the "blue" print for every college basketball student section in the nation.
Through their creative and consistent cheers, The Crazies have seen their beloved "Dukies" go on to win countless rivalry, tournament and championship games.
Auburn's latest football season has turned several fans into somewhat of dreamers when it comes to their Tigers on the hardwood after they came close to beating a ranked Florida team and then went a three-game SEC winning streak.
On the Plains, a few students believe Auburn's The Jungle section could one day become like the Cameron Crazies.
"Psychologically, the students give the opposing players an intimidating atmosphere while hyping up our team," said Dustin De La Garza, senior in mathematics education. "A good student section gives our team a better chance to win."
Others say the student section could only grow in size and prestige if the team continues to perform well.
"It has to be a two-way deal between the players and the students," said Auburn student Willard Armstrong.
While some basketball-loving Auburn students look to the section at Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium -- which has some architectural similarities to Auburn Arena -- the football stadium across the street from the Tigers' newest facility could be another source of inspiration.
"Jordan-Hare Stadium gives me chills when the student section is full, and that has to do something for our football team," said Stephen Bradford, senior in health services administration. "We need the same effort [at basketball games], and maybe more tailgating."
Although football has most of the year-round spotlight on campus, several fans have called for a well-rounded student section like the one at the University of Florida, which won both football and men's basketball national championships in the 2007-08 season.
"I believe in Auburn and I believe we can win anything," said Austin Baker, sophomore in communications.
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