As many will read in The Chronicle today, the Duke Women's Basketball team trounced Old Dominion, 89-40, Wednesday night. Unfortunately, few students turned out to see the amazing display of blocked shots, no-look passes, down-town threes, and brilliant defense put on by the Blue Devils.
I understand that supporting women's basketball might not be considered as glamorous as body painting and supporting the men's team. There are far fewer chances of being seen on TV; far fewer dramatic dunks; and, let's face it, there just aren't very many teams out there that can put up much of a fight against the women's team.
But when the members of the Duke Band and the Dancin' Devils outnumber the students who come out to support the team-more than 10 to 1 last night-there's something very, very wrong. Wednesday night's student turnout was, in a word, dismal. Since when are the Cameron Crazies only crazy for the men's team? Since when do true Duke fans leave one of their own teams-last year's national runners-up, currently ranked 5th in the nation, undefeated and nearly unstoppable-completely out to dry?
These talented, classy women not only need your support; they deserve it. They deserve to have the bleachers filled-undergraduate and graduate-with yelling, jumping, even body-painted supporters (and not the ones who came out to support a bunch of teenie-bopper cheerleaders).
Come out and support YOUR team. Go Duke!
David Wagner
Pratt '08
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.