Student/Fan Interaction at Wallace Wade

[Native]

Trying to think of a few creative things to do to get everyone involved at Wallace Wade in two weeks. Even if we can fill the student section up to capacity, students alone can't make enough noise to create a hostile atmosphere in Wade. We need everyone in the stadium to do that, so we need simple cheers or things to yell back-and-forth aside from just making noise. Members of the Inferno and the Tailgate Team are meeting this evening to nail down some ways to have the best possible atmosphere for the game.

For starters, we definitely need something similar to "We Are! Penn State!" or "Let's Go! Hokies!" as a call and response among fans. Any ideas?

Thanks!

[wilson]

Personally, I hate call-and-response cheers (especially "We are...[insert school name here]"). It seems to me that some of the basketball cheers, with which we all certainly possess a degree of familiarity, would be fairly easily adaptable to Wally Wade.
If ever a cheer sheet were needed, this would appear to be the time. While people pretty much know what to expect in Cameron, we're still in the process of building a football fanbase along with the program, so I'd think that students, alums, and community fans alike could use a bit of coaching here.

[mkline09]

Trying to think of a few creative things to do to get everyone involved at Wallace Wade in two weeks. Even if we can fill the student section up to capacity, students alone can't make enough noise to create a hostile atmosphere in Wade. We need everyone in the stadium to do that, so we need simple cheers or things to yell back-and-forth aside from just making noise. Members of the Inferno and the Tailgate Team are meeting this evening to nail down some ways to have the best possible atmosphere for the game.

For starters, we definitely need something similar to "We Are! Penn State!" or "Let's Go! Hokies!" as a call and response among fans. Any ideas?

Thanks!

I'll be honest the chants of Let's Go Duke pretty much sent chills through me. To me that is all you need.

[bob blue devil]

we could go with a Dr. Chandler homage: Here comes - Duke

[Lid]

I second the "Let's go Duke" cheer as a mainstay in football, too -- last weekend, it also gave me chills. I would love it even more if it stayed at least semi-slow and ominous instead of becoming a race. One which I, sadly, will never win. It just burns out so fast.

There were some really enthusiastic people behind me last weekend who kept trying to get a Blue Devils call/response cheer going, and were successful once. I'll yell anything needed, but I have to admit, it makes it harder to mock UNC for their idiotic Tar! Heels! cheer if we're doing something similar. So, my preference would be something else that is slow and sustainable.

Any chance that some students would spend at least part of the game in the employee section to get people going over there? Usually I feel like an idiot because I'm yelling my head off (along with my game-time partner in crime) in a fairly silent place. Just a thought.

[Native]

I second the "Let's go Duke" cheer as a mainstay in football, too -- last weekend, it also gave me chills. I would love it even more if it stayed at least semi-slow and ominous instead of becoming a race. One which I, sadly, will never win. It just burns out so fast.

There were some really enthusiastic people behind me last weekend who kept trying to get a Blue Devils call/response cheer going, and were successful once. I'll yell anything needed, but I have to admit, it makes it harder to mock UNC for their idiotic Tar! Heels! cheer if we're doing something similar. So, my preference would be something else that is slow and sustainable.

Any chance that some students would spend at least part of the game in the employee section to get people going over there? Usually I feel like an idiot because I'm yelling my head off (along with my game-time partner in crime) in a fairly silent place. Just a thought.

1) That's the problem with a lot of basketball cheers. We're working on getting the students to slooooow them down, but then a new crop of freshmen come in every year and the status quo gets shaken up (to no fault of anyone in particular). We'll likely distribute cheer sheets to ensure slowness. I can print extras and give them out to non-students as well

2) I could definitely get a group together to sit in the employee section if there are some empty seats or something. There's a very active (small, however) group of students who are working on this stuff.

[quahog174]

I would think a nice cheer in Swahili might go over well.

[TruBlu]

As PDDuke85 said in another thread, one cheer for unc-cheat could be "Academic . . . Fraud", with pointing to Duke for "academic", and pointing to unc-cheat for "fraud". (Sorry, I don't know how to import quotes from one thread to another - and I'm too old/stubborn to learn.)

This of course could be changed back to the more standard basketball chant of "Class . . . No Class", which considering unc-cheat's recent history of no-show classes would carry even more meaning.

Whatever cheers are started, be assured that I will participate.

[uh_no]

Trying to think of a few creative things to do to get everyone involved at Wallace Wade in two weeks. Even if we can fill the student section up to capacity, students alone can't make enough noise to create a hostile atmosphere in Wade. We need everyone in the stadium to do that, so we need simple cheers or things to yell back-and-forth aside from just making noise. Members of the Inferno and the Tailgate Team are meeting this evening to nail down some ways to have the best possible atmosphere for the game.

For starters, we definitely need something similar to "We Are! Penn State!" or "Let's Go! Hokies!" as a call and response among fans. Any ideas?

Thanks!

boing boing boing boing PASS whooooooaaaahhhhhhhh TOUCHDOWN

that doesn't translate so well to football now does it :D

[blazindw]

1) That's the problem with a lot of basketball cheers. We're working on getting the students to slooooow them down, but then a new crop of freshmen come in every year and the status quo gets shaken up (to no fault of anyone in particular). We'll likely distribute cheer sheets to ensure slowness. I can print extras and give them out to non-students as well

2) I could definitely get a group together to sit in the employee section if there are some empty seats or something. There's a very active (small, however) group of students who are working on this stuff.

This could also be the chance to develop some football-specific traditions. The keys on kickoffs never seemed to do a lot to pump up the student section...that should be the time to make a lot of noise and get the team pumped up and the stadium rocking. Maybe coupled with something visual, like waving a cap/hand or raising the roof...something other than the keys.

Football season could be how we slow the cheers down. If we can get people to learn that now, maybe that could carry over to Cameron as well. But I agree with the rest in that slow, simple cheers that can spread quickly and be loud are what we need.

The "You Let The Whole Team Down" chant came through very clear on TV and it always cracks me up when I hear it in Cameron. If that was a tad bit slower, that could definitely spread like wildfire amongst the non-student crowd.

[CameronBornAndBred]

After FIU scored their last TD late in our first game, I loved the students' "does-nt-matter" chant. I was across the stadium and laughing hard at that one.

[nocilla]

I second the "Let's go Duke" cheer as a mainstay in football, too -- last weekend, it also gave me chills. I would love it even more if it stayed at least semi-slow and ominous instead of becoming a race. One which I, sadly, will never win. It just burns out so fast.


There was one instance early in the game that the students started the Let's Go Duke cheer, but like you said it sped up and faded pretty fast. Then later in the second half, there was another Let's go Duke and it seemed to be coming from the middle, or the sections in front of the press box. This cheer was louder and slower and easier to follow. Now maybe the students started it and the other fans took it over, I don't know, but it was impressive however it started. I was across the field from the students in section 11. I think the key to replicating that is to keep it a steady pace instead of the accelerating pace. This allows the crowds to pick up on it and join in. In Cameron it is a much more intimate setting and easier for fans to pick up on cheers. In Wallace Wade, people are a lot more spread out so it takes longer for the cheers to spread. As annoying as it is, the tar-heel chant works so well because it stays at a slow, predictive pace. I see no reason why we can't keep a steady 'Let's Go Duke' chant, allowing it to get loud and maintain intensity. I'm sure our players on the field would greatly appreciate it.

[Reilly]

Native, thanks for caring. I think you're on the right track with the idea to keep it simple.

In that spirit ...

1. "Let's Go Duke."

2. For those of age and who choose to do so, drink just a bit beforehand (not too much).

3. I like the keys on the kickoff -- showed up at my first Duke game in the mid-1980s and it was happening then, and don't know how long it had been going on, but like the idea of continuity, and reaching back to the past.

4. Just make a lot of noise on big defensive plays and when one of our exciting playmakers makes a play.

5. Sing along to the songs: "Fight, Fight Blue Devils" ... "Blue & White" ... "Devil With a Blue Dress" ... "Dear Old Duke" .... that would be really cool.

To me, that's about all that's needed. Cheer sheets not necessary. You and your brethren are clever and funny and if somebody starts something clever and funny, it'll spread like wildfire. Trust yourself. No need to write it down beforehand. (f you're going to write down anything, pass out the words to the songs.)

Just getting the folks in there and making general noise will be great and the rest will take care of itself.

[mkline09]

1) That's the problem with a lot of basketball cheers. We're working on getting the students to slooooow them down, but then a new crop of freshmen come in every year and the status quo gets shaken up (to no fault of anyone in particular). We'll likely distribute cheer sheets to ensure slowness. I can print extras and give them out to non-students as well

2) I could definitely get a group together to sit in the employee section if there are some empty seats or something. There's a very active (small, however) group of students who are working on this stuff.

I think it is great that you guys are being proactive with this. Football games can be a huge part of college life and now with a football team that is winning hopefully it brings out more fans to support. And Duke needs its students first and foremost to be at the front of the line. The best advise I can give is just be loud and get things started. Great chants don't have to be long or complex. Think Alabama or Notre Dame on kickoffs. A simple Let's Go Duke would do just nicely in place of Roll Tide or Go Irish.

A lot of basketball chants won't translate to a bigger stadium and one that is open so it is best to just clap and keep cheers simple and loud. Football is situational too so knowing when to get loud is key. Again I'm glad to see the students are getting this thing cranked up and getting excited about football. Weather is too nice on Saturdays not to show up and cheer on the new and improved Duke Football team.

And a good old fashion GTHC chant when the muddy feets come to down never gets old.

[sagegrouse]

I'll be honest the chants of Let's Go Duke pretty much sent chills through me. To me that is all you need.

I agree with M. Kline. "Duke" is a very simple word and lends itself to simple and powerful cheers.

Let's GO DUKE!!!!

--rising in pitch and volume may be the best one of all.

sagegrouse

[NovaScotian]

11f! 11f! 11f!

[Jim3k]

Is there something wrong with "Rip 'em up! Tear 'em up! Give 'em Hell, Duke!"? I thought it was a mainstay.

[mkline09]

Is there something wrong with "Rip 'em up! Tear 'em up! Give 'em Hell, Duke!"? I thought it was a mainstay.

Again very simple and already part of the culture. Works for me.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Is there something wrong with "Rip 'em up! Tear 'em up! Give 'em Hell, Duke!"? I thought it was a mainstay.

THAT is a football cheer!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Back when football was still pretty big at Duke, there were football cheers. Here are a few that quickly come to mind.

Fumble play! Fumble play! We want a fumble play!

Up the field Big Blue, up the field!

DE---FENSE! (It's all in the cadence.)

TD! pause Touchdown! pause TD!

If you want something in call and response, in the past we have used: call BLUE! response White!

Between now and then watch football games played by schools with football traditions and you might pick up other football cheers. Google football cheers and see what you find. Go to the web pages of storied programs and see what sort of football cheers have stood the test of time. Your research may offer some inspiration. (Begin by studying a good model.)

We need a cheer about the Victory Bell. Our house! Our bell! (Or something else more clever!)

Cheer the players' names when they make big plays. (Like we did for Conner Vernon last Saturday.)

Air ball could be something positive in football...think of making a long pass or a difficult pass.

The best way to create cheers is to think of points in game action where cheers fit and would encourage the team.

But most importantly, learn the words to our songs! We have two fight songs and an alma mater. You want to give people chills? All of us singing those songs together filling the stadium can make it truly Our House!

Here's a link to the words for our songs: http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&&&DB_OEM_ID=4200&KEY=&ATCLID=242332

[MattC09]

As a fairly recent graduate, I still sit with the students because I have several grad student friends. Plus, I want to put as many people in the student section, by hook or by crook, as possible. This year, at least the UVA game, was much better in the student section than in the past. The students were much more into it and there was drive and energy. There seem to be quite a few freshmen who are interested and supportive of the team. There have always been a hardcore group of people there, but the group seems a little bigger and growing now.

Observations:

1. On offense, you should stay quiet. Often times people will start a "Let's Go Duke" chant or otherwise when we're lining up. While there is virtually no crowd noise at present, we don't want to make it more difficult on our guys. Defense is where the noise should come in.

2. A new chant started this year for dropped passes, fumbles, etc: One person yells "No hands!" the rest yell "No future!" The same applies to field goal misses, except with foot in place of hand.

3. There needs to be something for kick-offs(receiving and kicking) for everyone. At other schools, there are typically salty chants after the kick. Ex: "Break his _____ legs!" , "You suck, _____!" , etc.

4. Something for big hits would be awesome. When Walt Canty or someone gets a big tackle, it would be great to have something appropriate.

5. A group of students has taken to chanting "That's another Duke first down! RAWR!" from Panthers games. It drives me insane. If we're going to copy an NFL team, at least make it a decent team with a hardcore fanbase.

6. It doesn't work so well because the stands are so far away, but picking out one of the kick returners and harassing him can be amusing.

7. Students have started singing, fairly quietly, the National Anthem as it's being played. It's infinitely better than having someone trying to ham it up solo.

[uh_no]

First off, I LOVE the air ball chant...i vote for passing plays >30 yards...let it roll!






2. A new chant started this year for dropped passes, fumbles, etc: One person yells "No hands!" the rest yell "No future!" The same applies to field goal misses, except with foot in place of hand. love it!


5. A group of students has taken to chanting "That's another Duke first down! RAWR!" from Panthers games. It drives me insane. If we're going to copy an NFL team, at least make it a decent team with a hardcore fanbase.

its "thats good for another blue devil....FIRST DOWN", and i believe it's based off the the inflection of a duke announcer of lore, though i don't rightly know the story...that's just what i had heard


7. Students have started singing, fairly quietly, the National Anthem as it's being played. It's infinitely better than having someone trying to ham it up solo.
I would love for this to be a thing

[Jim3k]

Observations:

1. On offense, you should stay quiet. Often times people will start a "Let's Go Duke" chant or otherwise when we're lining up. While there is virtually no crowd noise at present, we don't want to make it more difficult on our guys. Defense is where the noise should come in.

Close, I think. When, on timeout during a drive, I have no problem with a "rip 'em up..." Use it frequently: after a TD...on defense...it's all-purpose.



3. There needs to be something for kick-offs(receiving and kicking) for everyone. At other schools, there are typically salty chants after the kick. Ex: "Break his _____ legs!" , "You suck, _____!" , etc.

Being too salty and cheering for injuries is bad form. Most of the alums are not amused by the "eat s---" modification. It makes us look...well...[insert negative adjective of your choice]. There are very young ears in the stands; it's not just a college-age crowd. And I say that as one who has been there and, regretfully, done that.


4. Something for big hits would be awesome. When Walt Canty or someone gets a big tackle, it would be great to have something appropriate.

Chanting his name works here.


5. A group of students has taken to chanting "That's another Duke first down! RAWR!" from Panthers games. It drives me insane. If we're going to copy an NFL team, at least make it a decent team with a hardcore fanbase.

Not a bad idea in part. Maybe the RAWR can be modified: "One MAWR!" or something similar.


7. Students have started singing, fairly quietly, the National Anthem as it's being played. It's infinitely better than having someone trying to ham it up solo.

Just so long as they don't do that stupid Oriole "O-O-O..."

[bedeviled]

My last post was around '97/98, but I'm here nearly everyday. Really, not much changes through the years...same stories in different forms and cycles. This, however, is a story that I've been tempted to weigh in on numerous times: I have a strong preference for _player-specific_ cheers (think: theme songs) and singing cheers, especially in basketball where personnel and arenas are more intimate. I'll touch on those in my next post after addressing other cheer topics. (I ask that you please forgive my off-the-top-of-my-head examples and these long posts)

Call and response
I agree with previous posters that call-response is usually lame. I'm thinking about one exception for the UNC game, though. The Duke fans could turn to a UNC section for the widely-known "We've got spirit, yes we do. We've got spirit. How 'bout you?" cheer. Hopefully, UNC fans would respond in kind, at which time the next verse goes, ""We've got classes, yes we do. We've got classes. How 'bout you?"

Slow vs fast chant
I agree with previous posters that the pace of chants is out of control. Frenetic chants lack the directed power of a slower "Air-Ball" or "Let's Go Duke." I think I would soil my britches if I were an opponent when Kansas drones the slow part of the Rock-Chalk chant. (Note: I like Devil in the Blue Dresses idea of using Airball, though I would use it when UNC threw an incomplete pass)

Specific chants
"Our House": I just want to put this one on the radar for the future!
"D-D-D-Defense": Well-known, people join in, and has a clearly defined stop point when the play ends. Perhaps an alternating version could be used against UNC to reference grades...something like: "D-D-D-A+" Would people get that?
"Block that kick" is another well-known one that could be altered, like "block that rogue! (repeat)" or "stop that rogue!" if used for non-kicking situations.
For obvious UNC pass plays (hopefully they will have plenty of 3rd and longs!), "Pass, pass, pass. Get a tutor and pass!" or similar.....though this may be better as a sign than a cheer.
"You sank my flagship!" when UNC has a failed play.
"Marvin Austin <clap, clap...clap, clap, clap> (repeat)"
Other traditional chants which you could use though I can't offer any alternative verbage right now are "push 'em back, push 'em back, waaaaaaayy back" and "1,2,3,4 [insert something here] 5,6,7,8 [insert something else]." Hopefully you can use these better than I.
Another would be using the Rawhide song, but substituting "bowlin'" instead of "rollin'" Note, I spent much of 2010 chanting to this tune using "Nolan!"

Kick-off
I've got nothin' here. I think the best kick-off cheers are build-ups of monotoned energy, hence keys, "ohhhhhh"s, drumrolls, and jumping. Unfortunately, a relatively full stadium of participation is required. FWIW (though not for kick-off), I think the "Fight, Blue Devils, Fight" cheer would be fantastic with a full stadium as evidenced by some complex cheers at some football schools.

Signs
I haven't seen this mentioned, but this is a good way to get people involved and have fun (it would be nice if Duke Stores made signage material easily accessed and affordable). This is where Duke students make their mark with cleverness that isn't easily incorporated in chants. Signs add an element of fun and activity to the stands.

[bedeviled]

Here's the second part to my post. This is really the part that brought me to come out of lurking. Perhaps my preferences come from my soccer background, but I think singing and player-specific homages a la European soccer clubs is great fun. Singing is joyous and, at least for me, is much less prone to making you feel self-conscious which is often why chants fail. Chanting the same thing over and over allows me too much time to reflect on myself :) It's easier for me to let loose when singing. I wonder if that's true of others as well. I realize that many may be quite opposed to my preferences.

I am so tired of the "FirstName LastName <clap, clap....clap, clap, clap>" cheer. It belonged to Casey Sanders, Casey Peters, Crazy Towel-guy, UConn Huskies, Let's go Spartans, etc. I see it all the time on tv. I'm bored. I find myself welcoming the slightly different version of "Cutcliffe <clap, clap>" etc. just to mix it up. But, if you are going to cheer for a specific person, why use a generic cheer? It makes sense for spontaneous things or opponents, but not for your own Duke family. The players deserve better. A player-specific cheer is like a theme song...who doesn't want a theme song?!?!

I can't think of many player-specific cheers through the years...Zoooooubs had one, JJ was dynamite, the collective Marty had one, Du-du-du-Duhon (yes, I know there are a few more). Personally, I cheered for Nolan in bars and living rooms using the Rawhide song, substituting "Nolan" for "Rollin'." I sang opera when Singler took stage. Sheyer didn't need any water (I just let that ___ burn!). "Mason had a little slam, little slam, little slam..."

Europeans insert players/teams stories into lots of nursery rhymes. Similarly, the New Jersey Devils use "If you're happy and you know it" (which is a very good audience participation song to use!). Europeans also use popular songs like "Don't ya wish your striker was James Beattie? [style of the I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.I'm a real wanker for saying this.cat Dolls]," "Oh-oh, we're halfway there. Woah, Aliadiere! [style of Bon Jovi]" like Luol Deng's "from the window...to Luol."

Speaking of Luol's cheer, it should be noted that students and older fans might not have the same taste in music...which is why nursery rhymes work well (keeping it simple). I'm not sure if student's would know how to sing to Walt Canty using Sammy Davis Jr.'s 'The Candy Man' or even Manilow's 'Mandy' (although there have been covers in more recent movies). Alternatively, older fans will not get a Ross Cockrell tribute in the style of 'You the Boss' by Rick Ross and Nicki Minaj. Nonetheless, once the tune was picked up, it is fun for all. The difficulty is in choosing the tune and changing the lyrics, which it sounds like Native may be prepared to do. Songs should probably be kept simple because they have ephemeral use, but whatever the student's enjoy is fantastic.....even "Call Me Maybe."

So, now that everyone has ceased reading these long posts, I will offer the one cheer that I would most like to hear: a cheer for Jela Duncan in the style of Outkast's 'Hey ya.' It's short (repeatable), simple, catchy, and most people have heard the real tune. Another example would be "He's a Duke running back, and you're gonna be in trouble. Jela, Jela, he's our back!"
-- A song with "you want" may be changed to cheer for Juan Thompson. For instance, "Go, go, Juan, go. You know I can't believe it, another open seam" (to Human Leagues' 'Don't You Want Me'). (Again, I ask you go easy on these quick examples!!). How about "No, you can't always get our Juan (x3) And if you try sometime, you might just find...that you can't get Snead." (Rolling Stones 'Can't always get what you want').
-- "(OOH!) What you want, (OOH!) Baby, I got it. (OOH!) What you need, (OOH) you know I got it. (OOH) And all I'm askin' is for a little Connette when we play at home." (Aretha Franklin's 'Respect') I actually think this one might work!
-- "You can't stop, no!, Conner Vernon (repeat). 'Cause you try..and you try....etc." (Rolling Stones 'Satisfaction')
-- "We love Boone, yeah, yeah, yeah. etc." (Beatles 'She Loves You')

Well, you get the picture. There are also some songs that could be used generically like the <clap,clap> cheer: 'Louie,Louie" is amenable to many names, as is 'Roxanne' (for which the lyrics could feature "blue and white" rather than "red light").

Finally, I offer this: "They don't need no education. They don't need no attendance roll. No time working in the classroom. Devils, leave those Heels alone. Hey, Devils, leave those Heels alone! All in all, they're just another brick in the wall."

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

One thing about football cheers, the cadence is as important as the words. Good football cheers tend to be simpler in terms how many words and the words tend to be those which are clear and easy to say. Tie the cheers to the action in the field for best results. In the old days, the band's drumline often kept the cadence for some of the cheers. Any chance you can coordinate a cheer or two with the band?

The comments about not being so loud during our offensive play are on point, but during the opposing team's offensive huddle (if they have one) or before and during the snap are times to jam the air, making it hard for the opposing guys to hear the audibles. Carolina uses a no huddle offense. Maybe "Oh, no, not that play!" just as they start a play.

Another possibility depending on how things go: Hi, Gio! Meet Jela!

When I was an undergraduate, we greeted the introduction of each visiting basketball player with, "Who's he?" That continued for quite a while , but we were instructed by some administrator over in Allen Building to stop being disrespectful. This is a new day. I think it's a great way to greet the introduction of at least the stars on the Carolina team.... and maybe the coach.

[Lord Ash]

Personally I am a fan of this one...

(To the cadence of the "We are... Penn State" chant...)



WE ARE!

NOT REALLY USED TO THIS WHOLE SUCCESS IN FOOTBALL THING, SO REMAIN OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANTS!




Or is this not effective enough?

[Dukehky]

I always hated the cheer sheets, I thought it pigeon holed the crowd a little bit. That being said, a sheet with the words to the fight songs is a horse of a different color. I think that's probably needed. Everybody knows the words to their fight songs, and all the Duke students do is say blue and white and white and blue during one of them and say one or two lines during Fight Blue Devils fight. If people have the words to the fight songs, then they're more likely to sing along.

I really don't like the things with what a player on the opposing team said on facebook/twitter and stuff like that, maybe it's just me. Everyone knows about the whole AAS stuff at Chapel Hill, just run with that and think of something at the game.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I always hated the cheer sheets, I thought it pigeon holed the crowd a little bit. That being said, a sheet with the words to the fight songs is a horse of a different color. I think that's probably needed. Everybody knows the words to their fight songs, and all the Duke students do is say blue and white and white and blue during one of them and say one or two lines during Fight Blue Devils fight. If people have the words to the fight songs, then they're more likely to sing along.

I really don't like the things with what a player on the opposing team said on facebook/twitter and stuff like that, maybe it's just me. Everyone knows about the whole AAS stuff at Chapel Hill, just run with that and think of something at the game.

I concur about learning the words to the two fight songs and the alma mater. All three songs are part of our history and readily available. A stadium full of people singing together makes a statement: Our House.

[DU82]

There was one instance early in the game that the students started the Let's Go Duke cheer, but like you said it sped up and faded pretty fast. Then later in the second half, there was another Let's go Duke and it seemed to be coming from the middle, or the sections in front of the press box. This cheer was louder and slower and easier to follow. Now maybe the students started it and the other fans took it over, I don't know, but it was impressive however it started. I was across the field from the students in section 11. I think the key to replicating that is to keep it a steady pace instead of the accelerating pace. This allows the crowds to pick up on it and join in. In Cameron it is a much more intimate setting and easier for fans to pick up on cheers. In Wallace Wade, people are a lot more spread out so it takes longer for the cheers to spread. As annoying as it is, the tar-heel chant works so well because it stays at a slow, predictive pace. I see no reason why we can't keep a steady 'Let's Go Duke' chant, allowing it to get loud and maintain intensity. I'm sure our players on the field would greatly appreciate it.

The cheers start in section 28 even (30 yard line). Glad we're being heard. It's the same five or six of us that have been cheering for the last fifteen years or so, however we now have an almost full section to join in and get it spread to the sections next to us. I usually start them (nine years associated with the band, seven playing, helps), and I have a VERY loud guy behind me that immediately joins in. (MKline, I think you may have sat between us last week.) Eventually, the cheerleaders or Dancing Devils in front of us figure it out and continue the same cheer.

The key to cheering at the Carolina game is noise, not cleverness. Not many of the "new" cheers I've read here so far will work in Wallace Wade. First, they'll catch on too slowly. Second, we can't hear the student section; they're projecting towards the other sideline (and the field, of course.) It would help if the band and drums would help with cadence, and when playing turn slightly towards the home side so we can hear and join in. It's not Cameron, where the opponents are mostly surrounded.

Keep it simple. Let's Go Duke! De-Fense! One simple one I would add for the next home game is that after every Carolina penalty, every Duke fan starts chanting "CHEAT-ers".

[DukieInKansas]

I'm still fond of "Harrass them, harrass them, make them relinquish the ball!" to go with the fumble play cheer mentioned earlier.

[dukebsbll14]

3. There needs to be something for kick-offs(receiving and kicking) for everyone. At other schools, there are typically salty chants after the kick. Ex: "Break his _____ legs!" , "You suck, _____!" , etc.

5. A group of students has taken to chanting "That's another Duke first down! RAWR!" from Panthers games. It drives me insane. If we're going to copy an NFL team, at least make it a decent team with a hardcore fanbase.


The origin of the "Hey everyone! That's another Duke first down! RAWR!" did come from the Carolina Panthers. Also, last year Cut referred to Sean Renfree as a "cat" in a press conference. It's all for you, Sean...

We got a nice chant for big plays from Ross Cockrell. Not sure if it's appropriate to write on these here boards, but it's "You just got Cockrolled!"

[mo.st.dukie]

I don't know if it would be feasible in a football stadium but I've always thought the "I believe that we will win" chant is one of the coolest chants I've ever heard in sports. It's done by a few fanbases but not many notable ones, and in any case most chants are copies of other chants anyways (i.e. KC Chiefs and FSU)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44YUnOoye58

[nyesq83]

Start simple. Let's go Duke, Let's go Devils, C'mon Duke, anything to spur the team on.

I am lucky, as I sit with the players' parents and families in Section 26, and I believe the team will hear me. I know the parents do, and they are loving the support.

Most important:
Please stand UP and yell loudly (WHAT? ANYTHING! JUST YELL!) on opposing team's third downs and scream especially loudly when they are directly in front of you.

Of course, GTHC, GTH must be employed in two weeks.

[uh_no]

Start simple. Let's go Duke, Let's go Devils, C'mon Duke, anything to spur the team on.

I am lucky, as I sit with the players' parents and families in Section 26, and I believe the team will hear me. I know the parents do, and they are loving the support.

Most important:
Please stand UP and yell loudly (WHAT? ANYTHING! JUST YELL!) on opposing team's third downs and scream especially loudly when they are directly in front of you.

Of course, GTHC, GTH must be employed in two weeks.

I'm so pumped for this game...and it will be many of the students' first carolina football game....mine as well

2 degrees and every year they put the game over thanksgiving..so i could never go...cut said he wanted it moved, and i'm glad it finally is....its going to be nuts

[dukebsbll14]

I'm so pumped for this game...and it will be many of the students' first carolina football game....mine as well

2 degrees and every year they put the game over thanksgiving..so i could never go...cut said he wanted it moved, and i'm glad it finally is....its going to be nuts

First and last (as students) for the juniors and seniors. Gotta make the most of it.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'd love if the PA announcer would say his "It's third down!" in Swahili. He'd get fired, but I'd love it.

[killerleft]

I'd love if the PA announcer would say his "It's third down!" in Swahili. He'd get fired, but I'd love it.

LOL, yes he would get fired! I agree with DiBD, the "Rip 'em up, Tear 'em up, Give 'em Hell, Duke!" is as good a football cheer as we could make up, and it is right on message when we play the tar heels.

[weezie]

Personally I am a fan of this one...

(To the cadence of the "We are... Penn State" chant...)

WE ARE!

NOT REALLY USED TO THIS WHOLE SUCCESS IN FOOTBALL THING, SO REMAIN OPEN TO SUGGESTIONS FOR CHANTS!

Or is this not effective enough?

Hahaha, :cool::cool::cool: witty, droll and wordy.

How about packing the stands first and then getting the cheers worked out? Still looking pretty sparse in that there Wade Stadium.

[DukieInKansas]

There is always the option for the silent cheer: Stand up, quietly, row by row waving arms madly. All sit down as one and scream as loudly as possible - just noise, no words.

[BlueDevil16]

Theres always...Safety School

[Merlindevildog91]

Welcome, fellow scholars?

Or, if you prefer....kuwakaribisha wasomi wenzake.

[throatybeard]

I've been lamenting the acceleration disease for nigh on two decades. I've ceased fighting it; the tide is inexorable. At this point I'm more interested in discovering a cause for it.

[CathyCA]

When they have the ball, a simple "Hold that line" cheer works well.

When they're kicking, yell "Block that kick."

Also, if you're going to pass out cheer sheets, pass out the words to "Blue and White," "Fight Blue Devils" and "Dear Old Duke." My 78 year old mother sings all of the words to those songs when the band plays them. She learned them as a freshman in 1952. It would be fun to have others around us singing along with us.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

When they have the ball, a simple "Hold that line" cheer works well.

When they're kicking, yell "Block that kick."

Also, if you're going to pass out cheer sheets, pass out the words to "Blue and White," "Fight Blue Devils" and "Dear Old Duke." My 78 year old mother sings all of the words to those songs when the band plays them. She learned them as a freshman in 1952. It would be fun to have others around us singing along with us.
You are so right! Successful football cheers are more about volume and clear, short messages well timed than they are about cleverness soon forgotten.

I, too, sing the words having first learned them at home. If together we could belt out those songs (the real words, not the recent ones related to body functions) loudly and clearly in Wallace Wade Stadium, the strength projected would bring chills and goosebumps! We Are Duke would take on new meaning! :cool:

[CameronBornAndBred]

Back when football was still pretty big at Duke, there were football cheers. Here are a few that quickly come to mind.

Fumble play! Fumble play! We want a fumble play!

Up the field Big Blue, up the field!

When I was a kid in the 70's, "fumble play" was one of my favorite cheers. My dad took the the sarcastic route with "up the field" and instead went with "up the middle, McGee!"

Apparently that was the preferred method of moving the ball in those days.