By Harold
An interesting article came out the other day about how fewer than 20 percent of Duke and UNC fans actually hate their rival. Even Ol’ Roy and Coach K are liked more than hated by opposing fans.
This shows something I’ve written before. The best thing about the Duke-UNC rivalry is really the proximity of two great universities, which brings mutual respect since so many people have ties to both schools.When my table of 7 was watching the latest installment of the rivalry last night, there was a couple who both went to Duke and then UNC law; a girl who is taking graduate classes at both schools; a girl who grew up rooting for UNC and is now taking classes at Duke; and two Duke grads whose wives are now taking PhD classes at UNC. Chances are, everyone in the state at least works with someone or has a family member from the other school.
There are legitimate differences between the schools — private/public, liberal/conservative, majority in-state/out-of-state. But students can take classes or borrow books from either school. They advertise each other’s programs on the school web sites and student newspapers. There’s even a bus that goes between campuses every 30 minutes, and it’s always crowded.
Even the teams feel comfortable in the other gym. Despite the famously hostile and passionate home crowds, Duke has lost four in a row to UNC at Cameron, while UNC has lost 8 of the last 12 in the series at the Dean Dome.
That said, both fight songs end by telling the other school “Go To Hell.” It’s still a rivalry.
Laura
Harold
