Me? I’m just a fan. I never attended Duke (not smart enough), but my family moved from Miami to Durham in 1982 when I was a kid. We only lived there for a couple years before moving to Sarasota, Florida, but while in Durham I got to see the sport of basketball. Prior to that I had only watch Miami Hurricanes’ football (still a fan to this day), but the Canes didn’t have a basketball team. They dropped the program in 1972, bringing it back in the 1985-86 season. There also was no Miami Heat or Orlando Magic.
As soon as I saw my first Duke game, I was hooked. Of course in 1982 they weren’t any good. On TV and in the sports section it was all NC State and North Carolina, all the time, so at that point in time, jumping on the Blue Devils bandwagon meant you were actually cheering the underdog, dare I say, the little guy.
Obviously, things have changed since 1982.
I’ve been blogging for over six years on a variety blogs and on a variety of subjects. However, as I got older and started to move up in my career (I work in television & live in New York City), time was no longer on my side. I still wanted to blog, but I would need to narrow down what I wanted to write about and focus on one subject. Eventually, I grew tired of constantly reading about the hate surrounding Duke and that was my motivation to blog about my beloved Blue Devils.
What do I offer? Just one guy’s opinion, that’s all.
Coaches vs. Cancer Tournament, Madison Square Gardens
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Have a nice day !
Comment by bibomedia February 26, 2008 @ 10:18 pmWould love to have your articles posting at bleacherreport.com; in particular your Duke/ACC pieces would get a ton of reads with us. Please email me mtcheyan@bleacherreport.com so I can tell you more about our site/answer any questions and get you set up.
Thanks,
Comment by Max Tcheyan March 16, 2009 @ 8:58 pmMax
I’m a big DUKE fan. When Gene Banks went there, I went with him (as a fan) and stayed there! I’m glad I found this blog.
Comment by David April 2, 2009 @ 5:46 amHey,
Glad to see Duke fans with BIG DUKE BALLS!!! I am inspired tostart my own website. It was the classless Tarholes post that did it for me. You know as a nc native I really want to be happy for them, but the Duke fan in me wants to drive up there and paintball the hell out of that place. I do have a request! Can all Duke fans attend the football games. I would love to see a winning group of fans with the NEW Duke football team.
Comment by Luke April 20, 2009 @ 8:54 pmHello,
Comment by Stephanie August 10, 2009 @ 12:15 pmMy name is Stephanie Girard and I am working to set up the Raycom Sports’ ACC blog network (www.raycomsports.com). The network will be launching this fall and we would love for you to be a part of it from the beginning. It is a great chance to introduce your opinions, writing style, and links to your site to the Raycom audience.
I would love a chance to discuss this opportunity with you personally. Please let me know your availability and the best way to in touch with you. Then, we can go over the particulars of the network. I have also included a little more information below. Thank you, in advance, and I look forward to talking with you!
Regards,
Stephanie Girard
Ravenel New Media Consulting, LLC
Stephanie@ravenelconsulting.com
BLOG INFO:
Raycom Sports is launching a blog network this fall. This network of blogs will feature all the teams of the ACC. We are looking for passionate sports bloggers to provide content for our new team blogs. This is a chance to work with your fellow fans and connect to your school’s fan base.
This is not a paying gig but it will give you exposure to the entire RaycomSports.com audience, a chance to hone your skills, and the ability to connect with other passionate ACC fans. The best content will be featured on RaycomSports.com video team page, our twitter feed, weekly email, etc.
Please note: The platform here is WordPress. Familiarity with it is useful, but not essential.
What we are looking for in a blogger:
• Original content. We would prefer not to have reposts from your blog. Posts don’t have to be too long. Just passionate and well-thought out.
• Commitment: We are looking for at least one post a week. Again, the posts do not have to be war and peace. They can be short, they can be long…..
• Passion for your team in particular and the ACC in general.
• Linking back to your site is okay, as long as it’s relevant.
Hey Big Duke Balls,
That’s pretty funny to say actually. Anyways I was wondering if it was okay to add your site to my drop down lists of sports blogs on my site. If you like mine I’d love for you to add mine as well. I’m a Duke fanatic so I love reading your stuff. I’ll start writing Duke content probably near the Pfeiffer game (that should be a thriller). At least Harrison is supposed to be there.
Anyways, good articles,
Gene
Comment by Gene Zarnick September 4, 2009 @ 11:09 amSure, no problem. Done and Done. BTW, Nice blog name.
Comment by robioland September 4, 2009 @ 11:14 amGreat website!
I am from NC but currently live in Virginia. The nice thing about that is not having to deal with the Tar Heel fans anymore.
I have followed Duke since the Gminski days and have always been a real fan that keeps up with recruiting and every other aspect of the basketball program.
I went to the Montrose Christian vs St Stephens basketball game last night in Alexandria to watch Josh Hairston and Terrence Ross play. They both are very talented where I believe Ross could make a great addition to the team (since he has not chosen his final destination yet). Hairston seemed a little non-agresive but should take Lance Thomas’ place rather nicely. He even hit a couple of 3 pointers.
Keep on posting. I really enjoy your site.
Scott Andrews
Comment by Scott January 3, 2010 @ 5:52 pmLove this website!
I am from North Carolina and yes grew up in the days of Duke being the underdog to NCSU and UNC. I really became a huge fan, not only because of my dad, but in the Gminski days. I can remember hanging out in my room and listening to Duke play on AM radio with the station was fading in and out. Meanwhile UNC was on most of the FM stations that came in loud and clear.
Currently I live in Virginia (moved here only for work) and really miss watching Duke play live and in person. My best memories are of the 1998 season when my dad, who is an Iron Duke, was able to score season tickets for the both of us, where I saw Shane Battier and Elton Brand play in thier freshman seasons. My dad surely could not afford season tickets in any additional seasons but that will always be in my fondest memories of Duke.
As a positive, one of the few nice things about living in Northern VA is not having to deal with the annoying UNC fans.
On a recruiting note, I went to the Montrose Christian/St. Stephens basketball game last night in Alexandria. Got to see Josh Hairston and Terrence Ross play. They both are amazing athlete’s where I believe Ross could make a great addition to the team (since he has not chosen his final destination yet). Hairston seemed a little non-agreesive, but should take over for Lance Thomas nicely and include a better offensive game. He even hit a couple of 3 pointers in the game last night.
Keep on posting – I really enjoy your site.
Thanks,
Comment by Scott Andrews January 3, 2010 @ 6:15 pmScott Andrews
[...] -Rob Murray of Big Duke Balls [...]
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