GoDuke The Magazine by Blue Devil IMG

Duke is known for building champions on and off the courts and fields. Now is the time to make the investments that will drive our future successes. Help us to continue our tradition of providing the necessary support for the future successes of our champion student-athletes.

The Future of Wallace Wade Stadium The Duke Board of Trustees has approved design and granted construction authorization for three projects to enhance Wallace Wade Stadium following the current season. The three developments include a new tower to replace the Finch-Yeager Building on the west side of the stadium, a new video board and speaker arrangement to be located in the south end zone as well as concourse enhancements on the North and West Gates of the facility, which opened in 1929 as Duke Stadium and was renamed for Hall of Fame coach Wallace Wade in 1967.

“When completed in 2016, Duke’s football facilities will rank among the finest in college athletics — on a scale appropriate for the University. The premium amenities included in these state-of-the-art renovations will generate a first-rate experience for our alumni, friends, fans and most importantly, an optimal gameday atmosphere for our student-athletes.” — Dr. Kevin White Vice President and Director of Athletics The new five-story, 90,000-plus square foot tower will include six different concession booths and restrooms on the main concourse level. The second floor contains a 300-plus seating dining room, exterior club accommodations and six luxury suites. The third level houses 15 additional luxury suites as well as the President’s box. The fourth floor provides space for media, home and visiting coaches, broadcast and gameday operations with additional video fi lming space located on the roof. Along with the lowering of the stadium’s field level and installing a new Latitude 36 natural sod surface, which was approved by the Board of Trustees in the spring of 2014, these projects are scheduled to begin following the current regular season which concludes on Saturday, November 29 with Duke’s home game against Wake Forest.

GoDuke The Magazine 6.3 Dedicated to sharing the stories of Duke student-athletes, present and past

540 North Trade Street Winston-Salem, NC 27101 Phone 336-831-0769 Vol. 6, No. 3 November 2014 SENIOR EDITOR John Roth ‘80 ADVERTISING Patrick Streko General Manager

Johnny Moore Senior National Associate

Lane Cody Associate General Manager Ian Haynes Account Executive CIRCULATION Amanda Hobbs STAFF WRITERS Al Featherston ‘74, Leslie Gaber Barry Jacobs ‘72, Johnny Moore Jim Sumner ‘72, Lewis Bowling COVER PHOTO Jerry F. Pillarelli PRINTING RR Donnelley GoDuke The Magazine (ISSN 10668241) is published by IMG with editorial offices at 3100 Tower Blvd., Suite 404, Durham, NC 27707. Published monthly except August for 11 issues per year. Subscription price is $29.95. Periodical postage paid at Winston-Salem, NC, and additional mailing office. Postmaster send change of address to GoDuke The Magazine, 540 North Trade Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Advertising & Editorial Call 919-286-1498

Address Changes IRON DUKES MEMBERS: Call 919-613-7575 SUBSCRIBERS: Call 336-831-0769

CHRIS HUMPHREYS/USA TODAY SPORTS

On page 10 this month we feature the story of Duke football’s running back-by-committee approach on offense that has helped the Blue Devils become bowl eligible for an unprecedented third straight season. Coach David Cutcliffe’s four-man backfield rotation keeps fresh legs on the field and takes advantage of each runner’s strengths. Its success depends in part on their unselfish commitment to the cause. Their role model in that area might be their former teammate Juwan Thompson, a senior who graduated following the Blue Devils’ 2013 ACC Coastal Division championship campaign. Unselfish to the core, he saw his carries dip to about four per game but still provided unrelenting leadership to his position group as well as the team, excelling on every major special team and setting an example that continues to linger. Virtually no regular observers or chroniclers of Duke’s 2013 team pegged Thompson as a potential NFL player and, to no one’s surprise, he was not selected in the annual pro draft. But the Denver Broncos signed him as a free agent last spring, he wound up making the team during summer training camp, and this fall he’s had a productive rookie experience. Thompson carried the ball 29 times for 143 yards during exhibition play, an average of 4.9 yards per carry. With injuries attacking the Broncos’ running back rotation, he had an opportunity to run the ball 30 times for 121 yards and three scores in Denver’s first nine regular season games, while also catching a couple of passes and, of course, playing on special teams. With Peyton Manning at the helm, the Broncos had scored 29 of their 36 touchdowns through the airways, but Thompson’s three rushing scores were tied for the team lead in that category. He had two TDs in a Thursday night win over San Diego. “It’s a lot more work, football-wise. It’s pretty much 24/7,” Thompson said of his transition to the NFL. “You really have to study these opponents, especially with Peyton. There’s a lot with this offense. You really have to hone in and focus and study. Even when you have some down time you still want to make sure you stay in the books and focus. The speed of the game changes a lot and I’m still trying to transition with it, but I feel like I’m really starting to get acclimated to everything. It’s going good for me right now.” Thompson was able to work out with Manning and a few other Broncos the past couple of springs when the All-Pro quarterback came to Duke for training sessions with his college coach Cutcliffe. So he already had an appreciation for Manning’s work ethic, attention to detail and high expectations. “It’s tough. You want to be perfect,” he said of playing with Manning now. “You’re talking about the greatest quarterback to play the game and he could throw anything at you. The playbook is thick and he knows it inside and out, and everyone is still trying to get on the same page as him. You just want to do things right. He’s kind of like a coach out there, with me especially because I’m so young. I’m still trying to learning everything and perfect everything and earn his trust and respect as a player.”

Durham’s Favorite Destination

RELAXATION

ANTICIPATION

CELEBRATION

RECREATION

COLLABORATION

3001 CAMERON BOULEVARD, DURHAM, NC 27705 800.443.3853 919.490.0999 WASHINGTONDUKEINN.COM Follow us on Facebook and Twitter 5

> Blue Devil of the Month

Senior CLASS Award voting open until Nov. 24 at seniorclassaward.com

JON GARDINER

IF WE DIDN’T HAVE 9 COURSES, WE WOULDN’T NEED A SPA. With the addition of Pinehurst No. 9, the only Jack Nicklaus signature course in the Sandhills, Pinehurst has never had more to offer. And with our lowest prices of the year, there’s never been a better time to play! Call 855.760.8146 and plan your Golf or Spa Escape today. $174* Golf or Spa Escape Round of golf or spa treatment Accommodations at The Carolina Breakfast

Village of Pinehurst, North Carolina • 855.760.8146 • pinehurst.com *Rate is per person, per night based on double occupancy. Valid Sunday -Thursday 11.16.14 - 3.7.15. Subject to tax and resort service fee. Upgrade to a round on No. 2 for $150.

> The Numbers Game

Number of touchdowns scored on kickoff returns by Duke safety DeVon Edwards in the month of November, after his 99-yarder helped the Blue Devils defeat Pitt on Nov. 1. Last year Edwards (a.k.a. Mr. November) had a 100-yarder vs. N.C. State and a 99-yarder vs. North Carolina in a pair of November victories for the Blue Devils.

70.33

Stroke average for freshman women’s golfer Leona Maguire in her first semester at Duke. The Ireland native placed in the top 10 in all four of her fall tournaments and scored at or under par in 11 of her 12 rounds. Her best round was a 66 to help her tie for second place at the Annika Intercollegiate in Orlando.

Number of games played in NFL stadiums by the Duke football team in 2013 & 2014 so far. The Blue Devils closed last season with contests at the homes of the Carolina Panthers (ACC title game) and Atlanta Falcons (bowl game) and this year have played at the homes of the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Record: 1-3

Number of Duke basketball games scheduled in NBA arenas during the 2014 & 2015 seasons, topped by four in Madison Square Garden, home of the New York Knicks. This year Duke will play at the homes of the Indiana Pacers (Nov. 18), the Brooklyn Nets (Nov. 21-22) and the Knicks (Jan. 25).

Number of LED lamps installed at Williams Field at Jack Katz Stadium, making the Blue Devils’ field hockey facility the first NCAA Division I outdoor sports venue to be lit with LED. The new bulbs, from Ephesus Lighting, offer up to 100,000 hours of use and project an energy savings of 60 percent over the old 96 1000-watt metal halide fixtures.

Former Duke basketball players on NBA opening day rosters this season, matching Kentucky for the most by any university. Elton Brand of the Atlanta Hawks ranks as the elder statesman, beginning his 16th pro season, while three members of last year’s team are rookies: Jabari Parker (Bucks), Rodney Hood (Jazz) and Andre Dawkins (Heat).

Points scored by sharp-shooting redshirt freshman women’s basketball player Rebecca Greenwell in three preseason games (one Blue-White and two exhibitions). The guard hit 17-of-31 from 3-point range. She missed last year coming off a high school knee injury. Greenwell once canned 17 3-pointers in a single prep game.

212

Total points scored in the last two Duke-Pitt football games, 106 by each team. Last year Pitt won in Durham 58-55, while this year Duke won at Pitt 51-48 in overtime. Contrast that with the famous 1938 battle between No. 3 Duke and No. 4 Pitt, a 7-0 Blue Devil win decided on a blocked punt, sending the Iron Dukes to the Rose Bowl.

350

Career victories for Duke women’s soccer coach Robbie Church in 29 seasons as a college head coach, men’s and women’s. In 14 seasons as the Duke women’s coach, he’s taken the Blue Devils to 12 NCAA Tournaments, with a streak of 11 consecutive berths coming to an end this year following an 8-9-1 regular season mark.

JON GARDINER

&RPPLWWHG WR WKH %HVW LQ %LRORJLFV %LRYHQWXV LV D ELRORJLFV FRPSDQ\ WKDW GHOLYHUV FOLQLFDOO\ SURYHQ FRVW HIIHFWLYH VROXWLRQV WKDW KHOS SHRSOH UHFRYHU DQG KHDO TXLFNO\ DQG VDIHO\ :H UH ZRUNLQJ HYHU\ GD\ VLGH E\ VLGH ZLWK SK\VLFLDQV WR EULQJ ELRORJLFV WR WKH IRUHIURQW RI RUWKRSDHGLF FDUH H[SDQGLQJ WUHDWPHQW RSWLRQV DYDLODEOH WR FOLQLFLDQV DQG WKHLU SDWLHQWV 2XU KLJK TXDOLW\ VWDQGDUGV HYLGHQFH EDVHG PHGLFLQH DQG VWURQJ HWKLFDO EHKDYLRU PDNH %LRYHQWXV D WUXVWHG SDUWQHU IRU SK\VLFLDQV Â² DQG SDWLHQWV Â² ZRUOGZLGH

)RU PRUH LQIRUPDWLRQ YLVLW ZZZ %LRYHQWXV*OREDO FRP

Â&#x2039; %LRYHQWXV //& %LRYHQWXV DQG WKH %LRYHQWXV ORJR DUH WUDGHPDUNV RI %LRYHQWXV //&

Shaquille Powell BY JC RIDLEY

Strong running attack helps power Duke to back-to-back seasons of 8 or more wins for first time since the 1930s By Johnny Moore It was halftime of the Duke-Virginia football game this season and it looked like the Cavaliers were going to be taking the running game away from the Blue Devils and force them into passing the football. In a Duke Radio Network interview before the start of the second half, coach David Cutcliffe was questioned about the Cavaliers’ success in stopping the run and he made it very clear that without a doubt, the Blue Devils would be running the ball in the second half. And sure enough, after gaining just 49 yards rushing in the first half, the Blue Devils ground out 106 yards in the second and secured another win the old-fashioned way — on the ground. After years of “Airball” the rushing attack is now becoming the new fashion trend in Durham. For the first time since the late 1970s, when Duke fans watched Mike Dunn run the option, the Blue Devil football team is gaining more yardage on the ground than through the air. This season is the first time in almost 25 years that the running game is surpassing the passing game in yardage. Last year was the first time in four years that the Blue Devils attempted more runs (544 times) than they put the ball in the air (472 passes attempted). Cutcliffe, known for his quarterback coaching skills, is putting a renewed emphasis on the running game in a unique way. This is the third year of the running back-by-committee design with four backs receiving pretty much equal time carrying the pigskin. Last

year’s group was made up of Josh Snead with 107 carries for 651 yards, Jela Duncan with 113 carries for 562 yards, Juwan Thompson with 62 carries for 348 yards and Shaquille Powell with 62 carries for 344 yards. That combined for 1,905 of the Blue Devils’ 2,492 rushing yards, with most of the rest coming from running quarterback Brandon Connette, who carried the ball 101 times for 337 yards. In 2012 it was the same group of backs with Duncan leading the way with 569 yards followed closely by Snead at 496 and Thompson at 352. Not by coincidence that was the year the Blue Devils began their current run of consecutive bowl trips. This year’s committee is once again made up of senior Snead from Smithfield, N.C., and junior Powell from Las Vegas, Nev., along with redshirt freshman Joseph Ajeigbe from Riverside, Calif., and true freshman Shaun Wilson from Charlotte, N.C. The four come from different parts of the country and backgrounds while lending diversity to the attack. Powell and Snead are the veterans with solid speed and power to find and hit the hole, while Ajeigbe and Wilson are scatbacks that hit the opening provided for them by the offensive line then use their speed to pull away from defenders. As running backs they know they are only as good as the offensive linemen in front of them and the Blue Devils have a strong group of guys providing the running room for these backs. “Running plays are where linemen can show their dominance,” ex-

Joseph Ajeigbe

Shaun Wilson

BY JON GARDINER

plained senior right guard Laken Tomlinson, listed as one of the nation’s top offensive lineman. “We love to go out and show our physical talents as linemen, and the running game gives us an opportunity to show our strength and our speed in blocking for the running attack.” The absolute strength of this Duke football team is the offensive line. They combine size, experience and versatility with an ability to make things happen right from the snap of the ball. In the Blue Devils win earlier this year over Georgia Tech, quarterback Anthony Boone was quick to point how valuable his line was to the overall success of the team. “They change the confidence for everybody — for me, for the receivers, knowing that they can run routes and get open, and then for our backs, knowing that they could run the football,” he explained. “When it was time to shine for our backs, they ran the ball very hard and very effectively.” And it’s not just a passing fancy to want to run the football. It is vitally important to the success of a football team to be able to establish a running game to maintain possession of the football and open up the passing game. One of the key points of emphasis that offensive coordinator Scottie Montgomery made as soon as he returned to Durham following a threeyear coaching stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers was the significance of the running game. “When I came back to Duke, I think everyone thought that I would be really, really heavy on throwing the ball on every down,” said Montgomery, a second team All-ACC receiver during his Blue Devil playing days. “But when you spend time in Pittsburgh you understand how important it is to run the ball and establish a running game. That was the best experience I could have had at that point in my career. I had just left a Duke

program that was top 10 in the nation in throwing the ball with Thad Lewis, but we weren’t winning games — we weren’t where we should be. At Pittsburgh it was what they called ground and pound, ground and pound — and then boom, a big pass play.” The most important part of the running attack is the fact that it gives the Blue Devils an incredibly balanced offensive attack. Following the Blue Devils’ eighth game of the year, a 51-48 win over Pittsburgh, the stats showed the Blue Devils dead even in passing attempts and rushing attempts with 292 each and the running game just 20 yards ahead of the passing game with 1,698 yards running the ball to 1,678 yards passing. It’s not going to get more balanced than that. “It’s extremely important to us to have a balanced attack on the offensive side of the ball and the running game is really key to that balance,” added Tomlinson. “We work hard every day in practice on both out pass protection and running game blocking.” But building that running back-by-committee philosophy can be easier said than done. Growing up in football there are a couple of key positions — there is always a starting quarterback, the star of the team because of his position, and then there is the starting running back, the guy who carries the ball play after play, moving the team down the field, then getting the chance to prance into the end zone. At Duke that running back spot is a little different, with four backs carrying the load of what one back and possibly a backup would do on most teams. “It could be frustrating, but that’s who we recruit to play running back — you have to have good character,” said Powell. “Part of that character is being selfless and doing what’s best for the team. So I think just having

Josh Snead BY JON GARDINER

that mentality makes us all play better. We always love to see each other score touchdowns and get long runs. I was very happy for (Josh) Snead when he had a 100-yard game last week and when Shaun (Wilson) had the 200-yard game. It makes me proud to be a part of this stable.” “It really keeps guys fresh,” explained running backs coach Re’quan Boyette, a former Blue Devil running back. “Each guy is so different; the defense has to adjust from our speed backs to our power backs in the middle of the game. That can be a tough adjustment.” “We really get a chance to have fresh legs in our running backs against possibly tired legs on the defensive side of the ball,” explained Snead. “It can get a little frustrating sometimes because you may be in one series and then out the next series and see only two series in the first half and then just two in the second half, but we look at it as being a team and the success of the team is much important – Coach Cutcliffe always harps on ‘me kills we’ so we look at it as being good for the team and when your number is called you have to take advantage of the opportunity.” You can see it on the sidelines following an offensive series, the other three backs standing or sitting together talking with the back that was just in the game and finding out what the defense was doing, what they were giving them and how the defensive players reacted to certain plays. These guys are smart enough to learn from each other, realize that it is not a competition and understand just how important the running game is to the success of the team. “We have the mentality that we run our offense the way we want to run it and not having the defense dictate how we’re going to play football,” explained Powell. “That’s the same thing Coach Montgomery talks about — just do what we can do, control what we can control. I think having more confidence in us and not being one-dimensional helps us out.” “I love the mentality that Coach Re’quan Boyette has been able to develop amongst those young men,” said Cutcliffe. “They like being fresh in the second half, they don’t mind sharing. We don’t have to have a guy that runs for 245 yards. Maybe at times it’s going to happen. That’s how they practice. They share that workload in practice, and that makes us better.” That 245 yards that Cutcliffe spoke about came early in the season as freshman Shaun Wilson carried the ball for 245 yards against Kansas. The 5-9, 180 pound Wilson may not be the most imposing player physically on the football field, but his ability to hit the hole and run away from defenders gave him runs of 45, 68 and 69 yards against the Jayhawks. “Wilson is a little different from our other guys,” explained Cutcliffe. “Obviously, he’s smaller, has quick feet, short-space quickness is through the roof. His ability to change directions is as good as I’ve been around. And he’s got some extreme top-end speed.” The runs gave birth to one of the great quotes of the season from then Kansas head coach Charlie Weis when asked following the game how the Blue Devils gained so much yardage on the ground. “All they were running were inside zones. It wasn’t like ‘what scheme are they running?’ They were running inside zones. They hit a gap and, next thing you know, they’re bouncing their head off the goalpost.” Following Wilson’s 245-yard performance, Cutcliffe was quick to point out who the happiest guys on the team were for Wilson — the other running backs. “The best part of our running back position is I don’t think anyone was happier than Josh Snead, Shaquille Powell and Joe Ajeigbe,” he explained. “It’s a group of people who are the most unselfish young men I’ve been around in that regard, and that’s a great tribute to them and their families.” As a veteran of this attack, Snead may well have put it best. “Every back has a selfish streak in them and wants the ball on every play, but as you mature and you realize from a leadership standpoint that it is better for the team, and you see one of your teammates doing well and winning the game, then we are all satisfied.” Yes — wins are very satisfying.

YOU LOVE FOOTBALL. SO DO WE. Continental Tire. For what you do. Go to ctposter.com to receive a free decal & enter to win a set of tires.

CONTINENTALTIRE.COM

Official Tire of the Duke Blue Devils 13

Anthony Boone: More wins than any other starting QB in Duke history BY JON GARDINER

TRENDING

Coach Cut’s Blue Devils aren’t going away | By Al Featherston In the midst of Duke’s celebration last fall after the Blue Devils emphatically hammered Miami in Wallace Wade Stadium, coach David Cutcliffe has a message for the media: “We’re not going away,” Cutcliffe said. “This is no accident. Get used to it.” Not quite a year later, it’s obvious the veteran coach knew what he was talking about. Duke may have lost its 2014 rematch with the Hurricanes, but victories over Georgia Tech, Virginia, Pitt and Syracuse (three on the road) demonstrated that the Blue Devils are once again a contender for an ACC championship. And after the victory over the Cavaliers that improved Duke’s record to 6-1, Cutcliffe had another message for the media: “I think we are a program and I think we’ll continue to grow our program,” he said. “It’s what we’ve been trying to do since we’ve been here. We’ve got a good football team this year, but that good football team is a product of this program. I believe we’ll have a good football team next year. Because it’s a product of a really good program.” The difference between a good team and a good program is an important distinction. Fred Goldsmith had a good team in 1994, when Duke won eight

games and earned a bowl bid. But his next team was 3-8 and the one after that was 0-11. Steve Spurrier was on the verge of building a solid program when he posted back-to-back 7-3-1 and 8-4 teams in the late 1980s. But he left for Florida and the program fell on hard times. When David Cutcliffe took over the Duke football team in December of 2007, the program was in sad shape. The facilities were largely second-rate, the talent was minuscule and fan support had withered after more than a decade of futility — Duke averaged 1.7 wins a game in the 10 seasons prior to Cut’s hiring. That summer, Cutcliffe told ACC media members that his goal was to win the ACC championship. “I know I’ll be laughed at, but that’s my goal,” he said. Cutcliffe WAS laughed at — not to his face, but in those circles where media members gather to speak freely (such speech often lubricated by adult beverages). The idea that he could make Duke a winner was farfetched; the idea that he could make Duke a championship contender was beyond comprehension. Yet, Cutcliffe has done just that. It took him a while — it wasn’t until his fifth Duke team in 2012 that his Blue Devils played a game with real championship implications. That was in Atlanta where — because UNC

MORE SPORTS ON ANY SCREEN. Time Warner Cable gives you more of the college football you love, on more screens, in more places, in and out of your home.

TWC TV® TWC TV® requires Standard TV or higher. TWC authorized modem required for in-home viewing & WiFi connection required for out-of-home viewing. Requires iOS 6, Android 2.3 or Kindle Fire HD / HDX, Roku LT/2/3, Xbox 360 with Xbox Live Gold membership (sold separately) or Samsung Smart TV (2012 and 2013 models). Some functions require compatible Set-Top Box or DVR. Programming is subject to availability in your area & the video package to which you subscribe. Not all equipment supports all services. All services may not be available in all areas. Subject to change without notice. Some restrictions apply. All trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. ©2014 Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC. All Rights Reserved.

a blue devil tradition Since 1987, the University Club has been a home for our members -- alumni, faculty, staff & friends of Duke University.

AFFORDABLE MONTHLY DUES provide stunning views in the penthouse of University Tower, casual and formal dining, and seven elegant private dining rooms for meetings & events, CELEBRATIONS | FAMILY TRADITIONS | BUSINESS MEETINGS | FINE DINING For information on membership or private events, please visit www.universityclubnc.com University Club | 3100 Tower Blvd. Suite 1700, Durham, NC 27707 | 919.493.8099 16

and Miami were on probation — the winner of the Duke-Georgia Tech Simmons. On defense, graduation claimed All-ACC cornerback Ross game would have the inside track for the Coastal Division championship. Cockrell and three-fourths of the starting defensive line. The Yellow Jackets won that game and got to play Florida State in And, yet, Duke is once again competing for the ACC title. It’s too Charlotte. Cutcliffe had to wait another year until his sixth Duke team early to say this team is better or worse than last year’s 10-win squad, but clinched the Coastal title with six straight ACC wins in October and No- it’s certain at a similar level. vember. Next year, there will be holes to fill. But Cutcliffe knows that and But that’s not the title Cutcliffe was talking about in 2008. He has has worked on the recruiting trail to fill those holes — often with better always aimed for the ACC championship and even though the Devils players than they are replacing. were outclassed by FSU in the 2013 ACC title game, they are in position “I believe we do that right now,” he said. “I keep rosters that are to make another run at it this year … and next year … and the next. looking ahead two-three years at all times. It helps me make decisions on “As far as sustaining it, my personal opinion is that we know the type who and what we want to recruit. I’m constantly looking at that.” people we want to recruit,” Cutcliffe said. “We want to adhere to that and That’s the way good programs work. continue to grow our program. I want to do that by recruiting the right But it’s more than personnel. Cutcliffe has established a mentality kind of people. Hopefully, we get a little bit better every year. around the program that’s passed down from one class to the next. That’s “That doesn’t mean your record will always indicate that, but the big part of what he meant after the Virginia win, when he talked about that results will. We’re pretty good stewards of that. I think we will be able being “a program victory.” to continue.” “We relied on a lot of our good habits,” he explained. “I don’t think The Duke administration, after years of neglecting the football pro- that we were overly emotional coming off a win in Atlanta, the travel, gram, has provided the help Cutcliffe the delay, a tough week of practice. needed to lay the foundation for his Knowing Virginia was a really good Defensive leaders David Helton program. That includes major facilifootball team and they were playing and Jeremy Cash ty upgrades, starting with the Brooks well. I told our squad it was about zeBY JON GARDINER practice facility, the Pascal Field roes — one was not giving up a point House and the massive renovation of in the fourth quarter.” Wallace Wade Stadium that will beThat’s something Duke has done gin as soon as the current season is amazingly well over the last two over. It includes the money to pay seasons. A year ago, the Blue Devils assistants a competitive salary, which had the best fourth-quarter scoring has allowed Cutcliffe to maintain a differential in the country. Through degree of stability on his coaching seven games this season, Duke had staff that Duke hasn’t seen since the outscored opponents 52-26 in the fidays of Bill Murray. nal 15 minutes. The program has also seen a “That alone will win some games steady upgrade in recruiting. When for you,” Cutcliffe said. “Our ofCutcliffe began selling Duke, he had fense was playing a team that had a lot to sell, but he also had to overbeen very good at taking the ball come the skepticism that Duke would away from you, at creating havoc ever been competitive. As the Blue with down and distance by creating Devils have won more and more over sacks, tackles for loss. (Yet we had) the last three years, Cutcliffe’s reno turnovers, gave up no sacks or cruiting has steadily improved. Obvitackles for loss.” ously paper rankings are notoriously Again, not unusual — Duke leads unreliable — as Cut proved last year the ACC in turnover margin and is by winning a Coastal Division title second nationally in sacks allowed without ever compiling a recruiting per pass attempt. class ranked in the ACC’s top 10 — The most obvious demonstration but (using ESPN’s rankings), Duke of how the program has evolved last three classes have risen from 65th to 51st to 28th nationally. came after the Virginia win when reporters asked about the players’ reThere are no rankings yet for the Class of 2016, but Duke’s first two action to becoming bowl eligible. When the 2012 team became the first commitments in that class rank in ESPN’s top 300 prospects. Duke team in almost two decades to qualify for a bowl, it was a huge What does that mean for the future? event. Going into next season, Cutcliffe will have to replace two-year But reporters were baffled by the lack of excitement after accomstarting QB Anthony Boone and record-setting wide receiver Jamison plishing the feat for the third straight time. Crowder. He must replace two offensive line starters, including all-star “For a lot of the younger guys, it’s kind of like expectations,” junior guard Laken Tomlinson. Outstanding tailback Josh Snead will be gone. running back Shaquille Powell said. “For the older guys, guys who have But keep in mind that every program has to replace its stars. After been there, when we had to struggle just to get that sixth win, we were his first bowl season in 2012, Cutcliffe lost three-year starting QB Sean hyped about it. My first year, we were really excited to get it. Now, it’s Renfree and record-setting wide receiver Connor Vernon. He had to re- just expected. Now people are expecting that we should be contending place Brian Moore, a four-year starter on the offensive line. He had to for the ACC title.” replace All-ACC safety Walt Canty and a number of other experienced That’s the new reality for Cutcliffe’s program. It’s reached the point defensive backs. where a bowl bid is expected and a championship is possible. And, yet, Duke was better in 2013 than in 2012. That’s a pretty amazing accomplishment. But it’s still not quite what After last season’s success, Cutcliffe lost leading rusher Jela Duncan Cutcliffe dreamed about back in the summer of 2008. The program can to academics and All-ACC linebacker Kelby Brown to injuries. He also still get better. It can consistently win championships. had to replace potential All-ACC tight end Braxton Deaver (injury) and That’s still just a goal – but it’s a goal that nobody is laughing at two long-term offensive line starters, guard David Harding and Perry today.

Injuries aren’t confined to normal business hours. That’s why we’re open evenings and weekends. Page Road Orthopaedic Urgent Care Hours Monday–Friday 1 – 9 p.m. Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Duke Orthopaedics at Page Road Urgent Care 4709 Creekstone Drive, Durham dukemedicine.org/ortho | 888-275-DUKE

Soccer games and spin classes don’t keep a 9-5 schedule. That’s why if injury strikes, we’re here for you—evenings and weekends—with a quicker and less expensive option than a trip to the ER. Duke offers walk-in access to care for all orthopaedic related conditions, from breaks to sprains to concussions.

Relentless pace should set tone for 2014-15 Blue Devils By John Roth On the first official day of his 35th preseason training camp at Duke, coach Mike Krzyzewski’s opening move was to walk his Blue Devils through the basics of their standard halfcourt man-to-man defense. Pressuring the ball, moving with the ball, contesting passes and shots, talking to each other — all of those elements were stressed as key components to a successful defensive exchange. But Coach K had one other point of emphasis beyond the functional mechanics of playing defense. “Don’t pace yourselves,” he told the Blue Devils. Through a month of practice sessions, two exhibition games and a Blue-White scrimmage, it became apparent what he meant. With 10 scholarship players who can all contribute productive minutes, Duke possesses the kind of depth that empowers all five players on the court at any given moment to hold nothing back and give relentless effort. By not pacing themselves, this group may create a pace of play that should be both challenging for opponents to handle and entertaining for fans to experience. “We have 10 guys who can play,” junior co-captain Amile Jefferson said after the Blue Devils dispatched Livingstone in the first exhibition game. “You saw us platoon in the first half, and what that helped us do was really get into the ball on defense. Our wings did a great job of contesting and it really helped us to create the pace. So we’re not waiting for the other team if they want to slow the game down — we’re going to set the pace and play like that because we have enough guys where if someone gets tired, someone else can jump in and play for him.” Nonstop pressure and constant attacking produced 115 points in the Livingstone game, then 87 more in the second preseason contest against a defending NCAA Division II national champion Central Missouri team that ran more time-consuming halfcourt offensive sets than Livingstone. But even taking into account the experimental 30-secJahlil Okafor BY JON GARDINER

WEDDINGS

TAILGATES

GRADUATIONS

CORPORATE EVENTS

Locally Sourced. Southern Inspired. Artfully Presented. Catering@farmerstablerg.com or contact Concierge at (919) 600-0811

www.FarmersTableRG.com

PREFERRED

DUKE

AT H L E T I C S

C AT E R E R

Tyus Jones BY JON GARDINER

ond shot clock used for both games and the preferred style of play of the opponent, it appears this Duke team is built to play faster than some of the recent editions. Last year’s team, for example, did lead the ACC in scoring, scoring margin and three-point shooting while racking up 78 points a game on average. And it scored 40 or more points in 30 of its 70 halves of play. But with a quicker pace and more possessions, the 201415 Blue Devils look capable of generating dominant runs and putting 50-point halves on the scoreboard more frequently. Over the previous three seasons, Duke’s had just two 100-point outings. “I definitely think we’re playing at a better pace,” said junior Rasheed Sulaimon after the Central Missouri game. “To be honest with you, just from what I’ve seen in practice, we haven’t shown anywhere near as fast as we can play. We can still play faster, but I think we’re off to a good start. We’re starting to get a good flow from playing somebody other than ourselves, and we’re just going to keep getting better each and every day.” With four freshmen and two relatively inexperienced sophomores among the 10 scholarship players, youth is evident in just about any lineup Krzyzewski employs. But that daily improvement Sulaimon spoke of is a sign that there is plenty of hunger for excellence accompanying the obvious talent on the roster. None of these players has been part of an ACC championship or Final Four team. Lone senior Quinn Cook has said more than once that hanging a banner in the Cameron Indoor Stadium rafters is the galvanizing objective of this squad. For Coach K, that always begins on the defensive end of the floor. Last year’s unit was far from his best defensive team, ranking near the bottom of the ACC in opponent field goal shooting and blocked shots. Anybody who watched the team recognized it gave up a lot of points on drives and didn’t force the kind of turnover numbers some of its predecessors thrived on (even though it did take care of the ball and thus led the ACC in turnover margin). But ultimately, this is a completely different team from last year, with post players such as gifted freshman Jahlil Okafor who can defend the paint and a flock of perimeter players who can pressure the ball, deny passes and position each other to limit drives. Okafor and fellow rookies Justise Winslow and Tyus Jones started the exhibition games along with Jefferson and Matt Jones, with Cook, Sulaimon and Marshall Plumlee

Justise Winslow BY JON GARDINER

providing the biggest sparks off the bench. While unselfishness on the offensive end was evident during exhibition play with 42 assists on 63 field goals, Krzyzewski remarked that that characteristic also carried over to the defense. “At the highest level, they are very unselfish,” noted the coach, who began his 40th season as a head coach needing 17 wins to hit the 1,000 mark. “They are also unselfish defensively, and people don’t usually say it that way. In other words they will give up their bodies. Sometimes when you are selfish defensively you hug your man, you’re off the ball or not there for help, you’re not there to help on ball screens. When you’re unselfish, our big guys are coming up on the ball screens. Our ball screen defense we’ve changed it this year to do what we’ve done with the U.S. team. We’re committed to it and I think it’s a good way of doing it. Our big guys are getting better in it.” Given Duke’s early-season schedule, the Blue Devils have a chance to take shape against some challenging competition. If their pace of growth matches their pace of play, they should be well prepared for their banner pursuit when the grueling ACC slate begins in January. For the fourth time in the last six years, the Blue Devils were forecast to win the league at the annual Operation Basketball media conference, over rival North Carolina, newcomer Louisville, defending champ Virginia and second-year member Syracuse. Duke’s last actual ACC title was in 2011, capping off a run of three straight. “Number one, we are trying to become a team,” said associate head coach Jeff Capel. “When you come to college and put a group together, that doesn’t necessarily make them a team right away. They have to learn and understand how to become a team. They have to learn each other’s strengths so we can minimize our weaknesses and play to our strengths, and take whatever weaknesses we have and try to make those strengths. And we need to make sure everyone’s on the same page and develop chemistry. We’ve really worked on doing that. “We feel like we should be a good basketball team. We know it’s a process. Hopefully our guys can fall in love with that process and understand what it takes. It takes a lot of work, it takes a lot of discipline, and we’ve shown that thus far, but it’s a long year. We have to stay positive and come in with the right mindset of working every day.”

Where will color take you? To victory! Sherwin-Williams is proud to support Duke University Athletics.

GO BLUE DEVILS! sherwin-williams.com 1-800-4-SherWin Join us on ÂŠ2014 The Sherwin-Williams Company.

> Perspective

How criticisms can shape the view of Coach K’s success By BARRY JACOBS Stick around long enough in a high-profile job, and outsiders are apt to find plenty to appreciate and fault regarding your tenure. Nowhere is that truer than in major-college coaching, a profession with the virtues (and drawbacks) of being very public and producing readily quantifiable results. Following the 2014 season Mike Krzyzewski called a press conference to address Duke’s record. He shared that the way he analyzes his program is in five-year segments, a structure that put into perspective the Blue Devils’ recent NCAA Tournament stumbles — opening-game exits in two of the past three seasons. More generally, his Devils have made a single Final Four appearance over the past decade. They won the NCAA title in 2010, but an impression endures that all is not as it has been. Meanwhile at least one critic, ignoring the record, attacked Krzyzewski for supposedly taking advantage of his position as head coach of the U.S. national squad. This called to mind other instances when the former army artillery officer came under fire en route to compiling more wins than any other man in major-college history: Too stubborn for his own good. Early in his Duke career Krzyzewski relied exclusively on man-to-man defense. Even when use of a zone might have salvaged a few victories during consecutive 17-loss seasons in 1982 and 1983, he insisted that instilling proper habits was more important to the health of his program than transitory success. That attitude, punctuated by a whiff of bellicosity popularly attributed to being a so-called “Bob Knight disciple,” had some observers predicting inevitable failure. Instead, Krzyzewski brought in a great 1982-83 recruiting class led by All-ACC players Johnny Dawkins and Mark Alarie, quickly added another star in playmaker Tommy Amaker, and notched both a longterm contract and the first of 29 20-win seasons. Choke artist. This sobriquet was fairly common for a time along US 15-501. North Carolina coach Dean Smith earned the derisive label after his Tar Heels went to six Final Fours over a 15-year span without coming away with a national title. Once Krzyzewski got his program rolling — still predicated on tough defense — he enjoyed a remarkable run of Final Four appearances in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. The fourth visit in five years, a loss to UNLV, yielded the largest margin of defeat ever in the championship game. “Blame me,” Krzyzewski challenged during the ultimately fruitless run, when questions about the “monkey on his back” proliferated. “I’m the constant around here. I’ve been around here when we couldn’t win the big one.” Then Duke won consecutive NCAA titles in 1991 and 1992, becoming the first repeat champions since John Wooden’s UCLA dynasty nearly 20 years earlier. In 1994 the Blue Devils finished a skein of seven Final Four trips in nine years, best in modern history, and the monkey business was forgotten. Not Superman. In October 1994 Krzyzewski underwent surgery to repair a ruptured disc in his back, and was told recovery would take six to 12 weeks. Succumbing to classic denial in the face of health concerns, he was back at work within a fortnight. By early January, following a home loss to Clemson, Krzyzewski

came undone, sidelined by pain and exhaustion. “I was thinking in days — which was foolish on my part — instead of weeks,” he said later. “I felt a good week and I’d be back. I had never had surgery before. It was stupid. I admit it.” Krzyzewski wouldn’t return to the bench until the 1995-96 season, watching remotely as the Blue Devils lost 18 games and dropped to the bottom of the ACC standings. Too incestuous. Following the disastrous ’95 season, Krzyzewski restructured his office and bench staffs. Key to the transformation was populating the corps of assistant coaches with former Blue Devils. By the late nineties everyone on the bench had played for Krzyzewski, bleeding his brand of Duke blue. Skeptics wondered whether such inbreeding would lead to stagnant thinking and a reluctance to question the head coach’s judgment. Moreover, when former point guard Steve Wojciechowski joined the staff for the 2000 season and began working with the squad’s big men, it seemed counterintuitive the little guy would know what he was talking about. The next year Duke won the national championship, and soon the sniping died down. An undermining distraction. USA Basketball was in disarray, unable to attract the nation’s best players or to compete at the high level to which Americans were long accustomed. Enter Jerry Colangelo with a plan to inject continuity and pride, and to build a comprehensive basketball program to represent the country. His choice to direct the NBA players was Krzyzewski, who agreed in 2005 to juggle his national and university responsibilities. Critics immediately concluded that, given the demands on Krzyzewski’s time and attention, Duke’s off-season recruiting, if not its in-season prowess, was sure to suffer. Yet the talent, and the victories, kept coming. The Devils have won at least 26 games in all but one subsequent season (2007), consistently finished third or better in the conference, made every NCAA Tournament, won four ACC titles, and reached the ACC Tournament finals five times. He also produced 10 first-round draft choices during those years. Meanwhile Krzyzewski’s USA Basketball teams went 75-1, won two Olympic golds, a World Cup, a world championship, and an Americas title. Unfair advantage. Earlier this year a Triangle newspaper reprinted excerpts from a column that ripped Krzyzewski for taking advantage of his position as coach of the USA squad to benefit Duke recruiting. A key point cited in bolstering the argument was the 2013 signing of heralded Jabari Parker, as if such a catch would otherwise have been unlikely. Touted as a top journalist, the writer conveniently glossed over recent history, although lending perspective is a key attribute of a masterful reporter. Of nine Krzyzewski products whose jerseys were retired by Duke, none signed after 2002. Of his six consensus national players of the year, none signed after 2002. Of 10 ACC players of the year during Krzyzewski’s tenure, only Nolan Smith (2011) came aboard after he took on his duel Duke-USA role. We can only look forward with keen anticipation to the next controversy or stumble to lend definition to the Krzyzewski era at Duke.

Youth Will Be Served Duke women eye inside approach By Jim Sumner Is Joanne P. McCallie’s glass half full or half empty? A case can be made for either view. McCallie begins her eighth season as head coach of the Duke women’s basketball team having to replace six players from last season. Seniors Tricia Liston, Chelsea Gray, Haley Peters, Richa Jackson and Chloe Wells used up their eligibility, while Alexis Jones transferred to Baylor. Despite significant injuries to Gray and Jones, the sextet combined for almost 70 percent of Duke’s points last season, almost 80 percent of the assists. Only senior center Elizabeth Williams and senior guard Ka’lia Johnson have played more than one season for McCallie. One key player hasn’t played a game in 18 months; another has played 252 minutes in three injury-plagued seasons. The schedule is brutal. Then again, McCallie has eight prep All-Americans on her roster and Williams might be the country’s top center. Duke has seven players 6-foot-3 or taller. So, it’s not exactly a bare cupboard. Just an inexperienced one. Williams is finally free of the leg injuries that have hindered her ability to practice fully. She reported to practice in the best shape of her career. Williams has slimmed down and has a team-best bench press of 190 pounds. Williams is a spectacular defender — she has 331 career blocks going into the season — but McCallie says she can expand her offensive game. “Shooting has to be her primary focus. She has to be consistent block-to-block; grow her range. All of our post players are working on their perimeter games.” If Williams is the team’s best player, Johnson might be the most important. With the unexpected departure of Jones, McCallie is left without an elite point guard for the first time in her Duke tenure. A natural wing, the 5-10 Johnson was thrust into the point guard spot last season when injuries and attrition left McCallie with no other option. Johnson learned what she could on the fly but now she’s had an entire offseason to further that development. “I’m excited to be the point guard, to have the ball in my hands,” Johnson says. She worked not only on ball-handling and shooting but also in more nuanced areas, such as “knowing where my teammates want the ball, where E (Williams) wants it high, where she wants it low. I’m still learning a new position but I’m also learning a new team.” McCallie says Johnson is ready. “It was phenomenal, what she did. She had no time to prepare for that role. She has had more time to prepare. It will either be Ka’lia’s team or by committee, depend-

Ka’lia Johnson

Where Blue Devils Fans Shop for Groceries

Find us on Facebook!

You

Watch us on YouTube!

ing on what we’re running. She has had a great summer. She’s embraced leadership but she’s seen that other people can be leaders, not just the seniors.” Johnson is likely to be joined in the backcourt by Rebecca Greenwell, a redshirt freshman who sat out last season rehabbing after knee surgery. The 6-1 Greenwell is a spectacular shooter — she once made 17 three-pointers in a single high-school game — but she says she brings more to the table than just shooting. “I had a lot of time to think about things and learn from the veterans,” she notes. “The pace of the college game is so different; you have to be mentally tough throughout the season. I definitely worked on my ball-handling over the summer. I will play the two mainly, but some one. I feel confident in it (her knee) and ready to go.” “Becca is amazing,” McCallie says of Greenwell. “She sometimes goes too fast. I have to slow her down. I don’t see any residual issues with her knee. She just wants to play. She really missed it. When you’re denied something, that’s the residual, trying to make up for that.” High-energy junior college transfer Mercedes Riggs provides depth at the point. An honor roll student at Salt Lake Community College, Riggs averaged five assists per game last season. “My job is passing,” she says. “Get the ball to the right people in the right spots at the right time.” Duke has a wealth of options to join Williams up front. Amber Henson is completely healthy after six knee surgeries. An academic senior, the 6-4 Henson has three years of eligibility. Henson says she expects to play on the perimeter and expects to improve her 31 percent three-point shooting. Competition at the small forward spot could come from touted freshman Sierra Calhoun or even 6-4 sophomore Kendall Cooper, who played inside last season. Or Cooper could challenge 6-4 classmate Oderah Chidom or freshmen Lynee Belton and Erin Matthias for playing time inside. A ferocious rebounder, Chidom should be a major contributor. Then there’s Azura Stevens, a 6-5 freshman who can play inside or outside. McCallie says Duke can and will play the athletic Stevens at guard, small forward and power forward. McCallie acknowledges that this team may have an unfamiliar look. “We don’t have that All-America-guard-flair,” she says. “What we have is a team with great chemistry, that is really cohesive, that wants to play together. We really want to dominate the paint and get the ball to our inside players.” Pass, don’t dribble, is this team’s mantra. Opposing teams figure to press Duke early and often unless Duke makes them pay for it. “You should see a lot more passing and a lot less dribbling,” McCallie predicts. “We don’t have as many players creating off the bounce. I

don’t think we’ll be as fast-break oriented in terms of a guard bombing down the floor dribbling. Now, the ball going down the floor on a pass? That should be very good. Every player is a better passer. Everybody is a point guard. Everybody has to learn how to handle the ball; everybody has to learn to make plays. It comes down to passing. Passing will be the key.” Duke was picked second in the ACC, behind prohibitive favorite Notre Dame. McCallie says she takes no pleasure in not being the favorite. “Being the top dog is the dog to be. I’ll never change from that view. I would always prefer to be the very best and to rise to that level. We’re not carrying anything from last year. I think this team will turn inward, towards each other and stay that way. That’s a fun team to coach because they’re listening. I think this team is very hungry. We’re going to find out what we can do.”

Above: Coach P with her freshman class of Erin Mathias, Azura Stevens, Sierra Calhoun and Lynee Belton. Below: Oderah Chidom should be major contributor on the boards

On The Run with Duke’s newest head coach

By Bradley Amersbach

In August of 2014, Dr. Kevin White announced the hiring of Christine Engel as the new head coach for the women’s cross country team and assistant track and field coach at Duke University. With the hire, not only did Duke gain an experienced coach with a history of success, but also a passionate and enthusiastic mentor. For Engel, running has always been an important facet of her life. A native of Mount Olive Township, N.J., Engel first started competing when she was seven years old, joining a youth track and field club. It was in this after-school program that Engel’s talent as a middle-distance runner started to become evident. Engel vividly recalls the first time she competed in the mile, joining a friend who asked her to run in the same event. Prior to the race, Engel’s father offered some advice. “Sit behind the leader,” Engel’s father told her. The advice paid off. Engel won the race, and just like that, her running career was underway. “Anytime you have that first taste of success, it reels you in, so I was hooked from that moment on,” Engel confessed. “I took it pretty seriously as a youngster, and certainly when I got into high school.” In high school, Engel continued to develop as a runner, showcasing an ability to compete as a top middle-distance runner at both the state and national level. In addition to earning All-America honors while attending Mount Olive High School, Engel also earned six New Jersey Meet of Champions titles in the 1,600. Unsurprisingly, Engel’s prowess on the

track garnered the attention of numerous universities, including Clemson, her future alma mater. “(Clemson) was my first taste of the south, and it definitely was a place I wanted to get back to after spending my collegiate career in South Carolina,” Engel explained. “I had a great experience at Clemson and was on a national NCAA qualifying cross country team and had won the ACC championship in the distance medley, so I have some experience at the highest level of the conference.” In addition to a conference distance medley relay title, Engel’s stellar college career also featured myriad other honors, including 12 varsity letters; school records in the 4x800, distance medley relay and 4x1500; and top 10 all-time performances at Clemson in both the indoor 800 and the indoor mile. The standout career of Engel also earned her a spot on Clemson’s Athletic Wall of Fame following the conclusion of her college career. After graduation, Engel moved back north to Massachusetts, working in the business world for several years and leaving her own running career behind. By chance, an opportunity opened for Engel to return to the sport she loved. A co-worker reached out to Engel, asking whether she would be interested in coaching a local high school track and field team. Engel accepted the position, excited to apply the knowledge she had gleaned from her own experience as a competitive runner. Although still early in her

Pleased to meet you Connect with colleagues and enjoy special meeting rates that include free breakfast. To learn more or to book your group contact Teresa Palmieri at 919.941.8106.

Group rates from

129

per person per night

©2013 Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Preferred Guest, SPG, Sheraton and their logos are the trademarks of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., or its affiliates. For full terms and conditions, visit sheraton.com/offer

coaching career, Engel’s student-athletes thrived, leading her to consider coaching as a viable, rewarding career path that she could pursue. “It definitely felt like, ‘This is what I’ve been missing,’” Engel said. “Although I liked working in the business world and it was a valuable experience, when I started coaching, it was the best part of my day. Starting to coach gave me the feeling that I was giving back to athletes, helping them find a similar passion that I have for the sport.” With the success of her student-athletes and the excitement that accompanied her time spent coaching, Engel felt prepared to make the leap from the high school ranks to the collegiate level. When an opening at San Francisco University became available, Engel applied. Throughout the interview process, Engel felt a strong connection with the head coach in San Francisco, and she was offered an assistant coaching position for both cross country and track and field. Fortunately for Engel, still in the burgeoning stages of her coaching career, San Francisco’s track and field program was in its early phases of development, as well. Although some might view this as a hindrance or a burden, detracting from the coaching side of the profession, Engel saw San Francisco’s startup track and field program as a chance to learn more about all responsibilities of a coach. “It was an invaluable experience to help build something from the ground up and learn how to create a culture,” Engel said. “It was the head coach and myself for the men’s and women’s programs, so it was such an opportunity to get my hands in every facet of the program, from administration, to coaching, to recruiting. I really got to experience a lot of things that I probably wouldn’t have at a university with a big staff.” After three years in San Francisco, Engel returned to the east coast, and following a brief stint as an assistant coach at Columbia, accepted her first head coaching position at Elon University, located in North Carolina. Engel continued to develop as a coach over the next six years, as evidenced by the outstanding success of the student-athletes under her guidance. The record books at Elon were nearly rewritten as student-athletes continually posted record-setting times both on the cross country course and on the track. In addition to guiding four student-athletes to Southern Conference individual titles, Engel also led 24 different student-athletes to 75 All-Southern Conference honors while at Elon. Heading into her seventh year at Elon, the head women’s cross country and assistant track and field position at Duke became available, and Engel felt compelled to explore the option. Coaching at Elon, less than 40 miles down the road from Duke, allowed Engel to observe the program and its student-athletes first hand, and she knew the values of Duke aligned with her own philosophies as a coach. “Getting the position here at Duke was such an honor,” Engel said. “Being so close down the road at Elon for the last six years, I definitely had a first-hand view of the Duke program. I’ve known Norm (Ogilvie) through meets over the years. I knew former coach (Kevin) Jermyn. I knew his former assistant, Liz Wort. Hearing their perspective of the program over the past couple years really helped. Being in the same region as Elon, I also had a chance to see the team compete. I always had the greatest respect for Kevin Jermyn and what he’s done with the program. I also worked the Duke running camps for a couple summers, so I felt a familiarity with the campus in general, including the academic standards.” Engel’s prior knowledge of the team played an important role in her preparation for the season, as she found herself with less than a month before the start of the cross country season. Fortunately for Engel and the team, a preseason trip to Blowing Rock, N.C., provided both coach and student-athletes with the chance to learn more about one another. “It was a great opportunity to be immersed with the team so quickly into the hire,” Engel explained. “For me, I was meeting many of them for the very first time. When you spend 24 hours a day with a group, you instantly connect. We had the opportunity to have organized team meetings where we sat down and I was able to share my coaching philosophy and expectations.” The time in Blowing Rock also allowed Engel and the team to establish a focus for the season, helping set the appropriate team mentality heading into the fall.

“That’s something we’ve really focused on early this year,” Engel explained. “Not really initially talking about the outcome goals, but focusing on the process and what we were going to do each day to get better and be a part of a new culture to create positive team chemistry.” With the cross country season at Duke coming to a close, and the indoor track and field season on the horizon, Engel looks forward to continuing the growth and development of the coach-athlete relationships that serves as the crux for her coaching philosophy. “As you coach distance runners, you realize it’s not just about the training, it’s about the mental side of things, as well,” Engel stated. “Trying to get each athlete on an individual basis is critical. Learning how to motivate one athlete and how they respond can be totally different from another athlete. Learning how each athlete ticks is such an important part, and that comes with developing that coach-athlete relationship and developing trust.”

Compliance

Quiz

The Duke Compliance Office is responsible for education and enforcement of NCAA rules. NCAA rules are vast and complex, and we hope you read the information below as an introduction to a few of the issues that could arise as you root for the Blue Devils. If you have any questions about NCAA rules, please contact the Compliance Office at 919613-6214. We truly appreciate your continued support of Duke University and Duke Athletics. Always remember to ask before you act. TOPIC: EXTRA TICKETS Question: True or False. It is permissible for a representative of athletics interest (a.k.a., a booster) to give an extra ticket he or she has to a current student-athlete. Answer: False. Giving your extra tickets to a student-athlete would be considered an extra benefit to the student-athlete and would not be permissible. Question: True or False. It is permissible for a representative of athletics interest (a.k.a., a booster) to give any extra tickets he or she has to the parent of a current student-athlete with whom he/she has developed a relationship during the student-athlete’s career at Duke. Answer: False. Your status as a Duke booster makes it impermissible, as it would be considered an extra benefit to the student-athlete. Question: True or False. It is permissible for a representative of athletics interest (a.k.a., a booster) to give any extra tickets he or she has to a Duke assistant coach who has been his/her neighbor or friend for several years. Answer: True. Giving your extra tickets to a staff member is permissible. Please note that some restrictions apply for volunteer coaches, so please ask the Athletics Compliance Office before giving anything of value, including tickets, to a volunteer coach.

Duke Compliance 919-613-6214 31

> The Final Round

Late start hardly hinders ACC Player of the Year By LESLIE GABER When Emily Sklar began her volleyball career as a high school freshman, she frequently had to be reminded by teammates where to stand on the court. As a soccer and basketball player, the rotations did not come naturally to her at all. “The first year, I literally had to ask my teammates to tell me where to go,” she recalls. “I had absolutely no idea. I was just like, ‘Tell me where to stand’ and I would go stand there.” Although volleyball was a new sport for Sklar, it did not take her long to catch on. Within a year she was being recruited by a host of Division I schools and by the end of her sophomore season at Duke, she had been voted the ACC Player of the Year. For Sklar, the ascension to becoming a high-level outside hitter was rapid but not without plenty of hard work. She credits her background in soccer and basketball with preparing her to take on a new sport. The daughter of two basketball players, Sklar had the height to excel as a center on the hardcourt. She also grew up playing soccer and dreamed of competing in the sport at the collegiate level. But after friends convinced her to give volleyball a try, the coaches at Plantation High School in San Jose, Calif., noticed her height and athletic ability, and as Sklar says, “the rest was history.” Despite knowing nothing about volleyball before she started playing, Sklar found that hand-eye coordination and basic athleticism gained from years of soccer and basketball helped ease her transition. Having also competed as a high jumper in track and field, she was able to carry over those skills to the net as well. Still, Sklar put in extra time to catch up to speed on elements of the game such as hitting and passing. She says one of the most difficult things to learn was syncing up her timing with what her teammates were doing around her. “Practicing hitting and timing was such a weird concept because in basketball you just make your own timing — everything is your own, based off of where the ball is. That was a weird thing to get used to. I just jumped up there and had no idea what I was doing basically.” By the time she began playing club volleyball later that year, Sklar had received her first letter from a college program. She went on to put together an impressive prep career, earning 2011 California Gatorade Player of the Year recognition along with numerous All-America honors, and then found her home at Duke. It did not take Sklar long to settle in as a Blue Devil, as she collected ACC Freshman of the Week accolades twice during her rookie season and was tabbed to the ACC All-Freshman Team. While making the transition to outside hitter, she also topped the 10-digs mark in 13 matches and led the team in double-doubles with 10. As a sophomore, Sklar continued to progress, totaling 405 kills on the fall and ranking second in the league in kills per set. She became the first sophomore in Duke history to receive ACC Player of the Year honors and also added All-America third team recognition from the AVCA. That year also saw the Blue Devils capture the ACC title for the first time since 2010. Even with all of her success, Sklar still strives to improve her skill set. She had the opportunity to compete overseas with the U.S. Collegiate National Team this past summer, and has worked with her teammates

Emily Sklar BY JON GARDINER

and the Duke coaching staff to better her all-around game as a junior this fall. “I feel like my game has gotten a lot better, being able to step in since I was a freshman and to be able to play all the way around,” she says. “It’s also helped me a lot with being a leader, especially being a leader with older girls. I’ve always played with girls who are the same age and anybody can step in, but having older girls listen to me really helps a lot.” In a time when young adults are being pushed to specialize in just one sport at an earlier and earlier age, Sklar says she hopes her circumstances demonstrate that you can excel as an athlete even with a late start. For her, going from learning a new sport as a high school freshman to being named the ACC Player of the Year as a college sophomore has been a thrilling experience. “It’s really exciting. I like to think that I still have a lot more growing to do. I think that if I am already at this level that there are so many better things that I could be doing and that is really exciting.”