Meeting Coach K

[kmmk]

Hi everyone,

I want to preface this question by saying that I'm asking this in an overall sense and not an "immediate to today" sense, as we don't know when Coach K will return to the team.

What is the best opportunity to meet Coach K during the season? Countdown to Craziness, before/after a game, or the basketball banquet?

I'm a long-time fan and would love the chance to just say thank you (even if it's just in passing) to him before he retires (which I'm crossing my fingers won't be for another 30 years because I'm a really optimistic dreamer and love the man dearly. lol). I also want to stress that I don't want an autograph or picture--I just want to say hello and thank him for all he's done and would love to do it in person (if possible) rather than an email.

Anyway, looking for some insight so I can plan accordingly for the future. I've seen accounts that you are allowed to interact with the team/coaches after the banquet but I'm unsure if that's true. I've attended one game at Cameron (it would be more if I didn't live in PA) but wasn't sure if there was an opportunity if I waited outside after the game so I didn't pursue it.

Any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Kelly

[uh_no]

Hi everyone,

I want to preface this question by saying that I'm asking this in an overall sense and not an "immediate to today" sense, as we don't know when Coach K will return to the team.

What is the best opportunity to meet Coach K during the season? Countdown to Craziness, before/after a game, or the basketball banquet?

I'm a long-time fan and would love the chance to just say thank you (even if it's just in passing) to him before he retires (which I'm crossing my fingers won't be for another 30 years because I'm a really optimistic dreamer and love the man dearly. lol). I also want to stress that I don't want an autograph or picture--I just want to say hello and thank him for all he's done and would love to do it in person (if possible) rather than an email.

Anyway, looking for some insight so I can plan accordingly for the future. I've seen accounts that you are allowed to interact with the team/coaches after the banquet but I'm unsure if that's true. I've attended one game at Cameron (it would be more if I didn't live in PA) but wasn't sure if there was an opportunity if I waited outside after the game so I didn't pursue it.

Any insight anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help.

Kelly

get seats in the GA section 17. during play while nobody is looking, dash across the court and tell K before they grab you and cart you off!

Actually, don't do that. :)

Usually an autograph session would be the way to go, I think. Otherwise, perhaps some time when the team bus is getting back to cameron?

[ricks68]

No contact before the season is completely over, and then it is still difficult. Locations where he does book signings post season is your best bet. Also, when he does his Summer on campus basketball "camp" stuff. You will not catch him outside the basketball complex, as he sneaks out when he leaves and there is very restrictive access to him inside. I also expect that it is even worse now since they have instituted much more unreasonable security measures everywhere over there.😠

ricks

[Bluedevil114]

He holds autograph sessions during his summer camps. That was how I met him the first time.

[TKG]

You could hang out in the locker room; no one else will be there. 😮 Too soon?

[BandAlum83]

No contact before the season is completely over, and then it is still difficult. Locations where he does book signings post season is your best bet. Also, when he does his Summer on campus basketball "camp" stuff. You will not catch him outside the basketball complex, as he sneaks out when he leaves and there is very restrictive access to him inside. I also expect that it is even worse now since they have instituted much more unreasonable security measures everywhere over there.😠

ricks

"I also expect that it is even worse now since"...your IP address and name have been noted and there are pictures of you at every entrance reading "Do not allow entry to this 'fan'"

7105






I kid, of course ;)

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Good luck. Unfortunately he's never made himself very accessible to the rank and file.

I recall going to Maui for the Classic years ago. The other coaches there came out for some of their sociable gatherings with their fans who had paid dearly for plane tix, hotels, etc to be there...clearly showing their appreciation. The confines were friendly, not the least bit threatening. Still, K remained completely cloistered the entire time.

At one ACC tourney we attended, he was unable to avoid walking through the crowd in the hotel lobby. Never looked up at anyone. Never smiled or acknowledged anyone. Just straight ahead, walking briskly with his entourage.

I met him briefly once at a funeral visitation. And once Tom D'armi arranged a quick meeting in a hallway for my grandsons to get autographs when they were little. Also, Joe Alleva invited us up for a football game above Wallace Wade where K and Mickie were also watching. It was pleasant. He was even rather witty, saying that footBALL is a misnomer since everybody knows a ball is supposed to be round!

The comparison to the way things go here in Chapel Hill between Ol' Roy and the populace is striking. Roy lives around the corner from us and is seen occasionally out for walks. (Has even smiled my way in spite of the Duke flag hanging from my porch.) He plays golf and lunches at the neighborhood country club just as Dean Smith and Guthridge did with easy smiles and friendly banter. Once I was there having lunch at the next table. Had my infant grandson with me. I asked Dean Smith if he'd hold him while I ran home (a couple of blocks) for my camera. He grinned and agreed! I got a great shot of the baby looking right up that big nose. Thankfully, however, the baby grew up to be the biggest Cameron Crazy I've EVER known.

Wouldn't trade K for the lot of them, but it sure would be nice if he weren't so dang prickly.
Love, Ima

[left_hook_lacey]

7107

[mattman91]

I met him at basketball camp my freshman year of high school. Pretty amazing experience. He was kind enough to take a picture with me, then invited my mom over to take a picture with us.

[nmduke2001]

Good luck. Unfortunately he's never made himself very accessible to the rank and file.

I recall going to Maui for the Classic years ago. The other coaches there came out for some of their sociable gatherings with their fans who had paid dearly for plane tix, hotels, etc to be there...clearly showing their appreciation. The confines were friendly, not the least bit threatening. Still, K remained completely cloistered the entire time.

At one ACC tourney we attended, he was unable to avoid walking through the crowd in the hotel lobby. Never looked up at anyone. Never smiled or acknowledged anyone. Just straight ahead, walking briskly with his entourage.

I met him briefly once at a funeral visitation. And once Tom D'armi arranged a quick meeting in a hallway for my grandsons to get autographs when they were little. Also, Joe Alleva invited us up for a football game above Wallace Wade where K and Mickie were also watching. It was pleasant. He was even rather witty, saying that footBALL is a misnomer since everybody knows a ball is supposed to be round!

The comparison to the way things go here in Chapel Hill between Ol' Roy and the populace is striking. Roy lives around the corner from us and is seen occasionally out for walks. (Has even smiled my way in spite of the Duke flag hanging from my porch.) He plays golf and lunches at the neighborhood country club just as Dean Smith and Guthridge did with easy smiles and friendly banter. Once I was there having lunch at the next table. Had my infant grandson with me. I asked Dean Smith if he'd hold him while I ran home (a couple of blocks) for my camera. He grinned and agreed! I got a great shot of the baby looking right up that big nose. Thankfully, however, the baby grew up to be the biggest Cameron Crazy I've EVER known.

Wouldn't trade K for the lot of them, but it sure would be nice if he weren't so dang prickly.
Love, Ima
I had a completely different experience in Maui for the 2011 tournament. After the title came, I was waiting in the lobby of the hotel along with a lot of other fans. When the team was catching the bus to head off to dinner, Coach came out and made it a point to thank us all for traveling to support the team. He walked around shaking hands with many of us.

[kmmk]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. At least I know I don't need to plan my next visit around a certain event. I thought he was a little more accessible than that but I can understand why he's not.

Thanks again for the insight. I'll keep my eyes open for a public signing event or something. I appreciate the help.

Kelly

[kmmk]

He holds autograph sessions during his summer camps. That was how I met him the first time.

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

Are these open to the public or is this something that's only for the camp attendees?

Kelly

[jv001]

I met him once at Bob Harris' golf tournament. He didn't play but was there for a while shaking hands. Johnny Dawkins and Jay Bilas were there and that might have been why he was there. We were all a lot younger then. Johnny was very friendly, but Jay and Coach didn't have a lot to say. GoDuke!

[kmmk]

You could hang out in the locker room; no one else will be there. 😮 Too soon?

LOL! It is unprecedented when a coach has to kick his own team out of the locker room. So I would say it's not too soon. Unbelievable! Just when you think you've seen it all, Duke tops even themselves. lol.

[devildeac]

I met him once at Bob Harris' golf tournament. He didn't play but was there for a while shaking hands. Johnny Dawkins and Jay Bilas were there and that might have been why he was there. We were all a lot younger then. Johnny was very friendly, but Jay and Coach didn't have a lot to say. GoDuke!


Musta been a long, long time ago,,,

:rolleyes:

[neemizzle]

I personally didn't meet him but it was when the team came back from winning the title in 2015, and me and my family had left Cameron the back way, and we looked to our right and here came Coach K. He high fives a little kid and took his picture with him and he was gone. I snagged a picture of him smiling. I'm definitely sure he hasn't smiled like that since haha

[jv001]

Musta been a long, long time ago,,,

:rolleyes:

There wasn't a tv camera around. :cool: GoDuke!

[ricks68]

"I also expect that it is even worse now since"...your IP address and name have been noted and there are pictures of you at every entrance reading "Do not allow entry to this 'fan'"

7105






I kid, of course ;)

I do believe it is "keeeed", with or without the cigar.😆

ricks

[sagegrouse]

Good luck. Unfortunately he's never made himself very accessible to the rank and file.


Love, Ima

You are closer to Duke athletics than I am, but I am really happy that Coach is still able to coach at a high level. Twenty years ago, when he was out for a considerable period, it appears to have been much more than back surgery. In response to his illness, he changed his lifestyle to ease, I suppose, the amount of stress and pressure he was under. This meant delegating more, limiting his public access, and doing such mundane things as going home for lunch, gardening and other steps to ease life's burdens. Mickie has been somewhat open about this. Moreover, when former Duke president and chair of psychiatry H. Keith H. Brodie passed away last month, there was a striking and somewhat personal tribute from Coach K:


“Duke University lost one of its long-standing pillars with the passing of a truly exceptional man, Dr. Keith Brodie, who I, along with so many others, loved dearly," said men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski in a Duke Today release. "He was a mentor and role model to many of us. Dr. Brodie’s guidance, wisdom, compassion and, most importantly, his deeply felt friendship had an immeasurable impact on countless people at Duke and within our basketball program."

K's efforts to manage his coaching and personal life has been hugely successful, so much so that he was able to take on the job of coach of Team USA and remain at the helm for more than a dozen years, winning two NCAA championships at the same time along with three Olympic golds and two FIBA championships.

[gam7]

You could hang out in the locker room; no one else will be there. 😮 Too soon?

But don't be surprised if Jeff Capel is disappointed when you get out of the locker room...

[jwillfan]

I live not too far from him and have seen him more than once, while riding my bike by, at the bottom of his driveway out spreading pine straw. I don't think he'll be cleared to do this for a few weeks :rolleyes: but apparently he does this to relax. And we know he will need to relax after this season!

[TruBlu]

Good luck. Unfortunately he's never made himself very accessible to the rank and file.

I recall going to Maui for the Classic years ago. The other coaches there came out for some of their sociable gatherings with their fans who had paid dearly for plane tix, hotels, etc to be there...clearly showing their appreciation. The confines were friendly, not the least bit threatening. Still, K remained completely cloistered the entire time.

At one ACC tourney we attended, he was unable to avoid walking through the crowd in the hotel lobby. Never looked up at anyone. Never smiled or acknowledged anyone. Just straight ahead, walking briskly with his entourage.

I met him briefly once at a funeral visitation. And once Tom D'armi arranged a quick meeting in a hallway for my grandsons to get autographs when they were little. Also, Joe Alleva invited us up for a football game above Wallace Wade where K and Mickie were also watching. It was pleasant. He was even rather witty, saying that footBALL is a misnomer since everybody knows a ball is supposed to be round!

The comparison to the way things go here in Chapel Hill between Ol' Roy and the populace is striking. Roy lives around the corner from us and is seen occasionally out for walks. (Has even smiled my way in spite of the Duke flag hanging from my porch.) He plays golf and lunches at the neighborhood country club just as Dean Smith and Guthridge did with easy smiles and friendly banter. Once I was there having lunch at the next table. Had my infant grandson with me. I asked Dean Smith if he'd hold him while I ran home (a couple of blocks) for my camera. He grinned and agreed! I got a great shot of the baby looking right up that big nose. Thankfully, however, the baby grew up to be the biggest Cameron Crazy I've EVER known.

Wouldn't trade K for the lot of them, but it sure would be nice if he weren't so dang prickly.
Love, Ima

Coach K probably has days where he is open and friendly, and other days when he is busy, has things on his mind, or is just in a bad mood.

I know that even I can have days when I am totally out of character and am friendly and outgoing. I try to limit those friendly and outgoing days to an absolute minimum.:mad:

[Reisen]

I suspect, like most people, his approachability changes day to day. I've encountered a lot of Duke players in person over the years. Some were super friendly every time I saw them, but others could be super approachable one time, and not make eye contact another.

Timing is everything.

[Jeffrey]

All of us react to things differently. Some of my friends are rather prominent musicians, artists, and athletes. Some of them can tolerate substantial public interaction and some cannot. One of the musicians takes a bag of disguises with him almost everywhere he goes. I would never trade places with him.

I think all of us should respect a celebrity's personal time/space and not attempt contact when they are not performing their jobs. Very few people want to be bothered 24/7 and every time they go out in public. Everyone deserves privacy.

I like the public book signing idea, when Coach K is on the clock.

[Billy Dat]

They run three sessions of basketball camp, the last 3 weeks of June. During check in, you can stand in line and meet him and get an autograph, pic, etc. There is no one checking to see if you are with the camp or not. Show up during one of those 3 days during the specific window and you will 100% get to meet him.

[FadedTackyShirt]

You are closer to Duke athletics than I am, but I am really happy that Coach is still able to coach at a high level. Twenty years ago, when he was out for a considerable period, it appears to have been much more than back surgery. In response to his illness, he changed his lifestyle to ease, I suppose, the amount of stress and pressure he was under. This meant delegating more, limiting his public access, and doing such mundane things as going home for lunch, gardening and other steps to ease life's burdens. Mickie has been somewhat open about this. Moreover, when former Duke president and chair of psychiatry H. Keith H. Brodie passed away last month, there was a striking and somewhat personal tribute from Coach K:



K's efforts to manage his coaching and personal life has been hugely successful, so much so that he was able to take on the job of coach of Team USA and remain at the helm for more than a dozen years, winning two NCAA championships at the same time along with three Olympic golds and two FIBA championships.

I was at Duke right before the first back surgery and based on personal experience and anecdotes from friends, K was wound way too tight around that time. He's had to dial it way back since then.

He's always been really good about photos with little kids at Duke Basketball Camp. We're into the second generation of Dukies during our annual CIS pilgrimage. Multiple kids in our crew grew up with prized individual pictures with K from childhood camp.

[Native]

Thankfully, however, the baby grew up to be the biggest Cameron Crazy I've EVER known.

;) ;) ;) ;)

[duke4ever19]

What is the best opportunity to meet Coach K during the season?

Probably at his house, if you don't mind breaking and entering on your record.

[weezie]

You could hang out in the locker room; no one else will be there. 😮 Too soon?

Naaah, a good laugh is always welcome. That's the Duke way!

[moonpie23]

you could get my son, Sam to introduce you. :rolleyes:

honestly, my situation isn't the "regular" one, but Coach K has been amazingly accessible to Sam since he was 7. Sam was first introduced to K through an ABC TV stats friend of mine. Coach K spent maybe 10 minutes with sam....on the floor with a big duke poster, autographing it, then calling shane out to have him escort us through the locker room for the REST of the autographs....

since then, Coach K has been extremely gracious in recognizing, speaking to, and even calling him to the front of the line at the book store... I'm sure some might see him as "prickly", but the pie family sure doesn't..

[-jk]

C'mon - K has a zillion demands on his time. He has to choose carefully or he'll get sucked back in. He learned that lesson...

-jk

[JetpackJesus]

The basketball camp is probably a good way to go, though I did have the benefit of being an attendee.

7113

Had I known I'd be meeting Coach K, I probably would have gone with something other than a South Park t-shirt.

You also may have a good chance of meeting a lot of other cool people that will be at the camp helping out. I was able to meet Battier and get his autograph when I was at camp before I knew how amazing he would be (this was '98, methinks). Wojo was there, which left me speechless when I met him. Johnny Dawkins was there, which left my dad speechless when we ran into him in the parking lot. I'm sure there were other people I either didn't know at the time or can't remember anymore.

Book signings are probably another good place to meet him. I think I've shared this story before, but my mom and aunt went to a book signing at Northgate when I had surgery at the medical center back in 2001 or 2002. He signed Leading with the Heart and talked to them long enough to learn I was in the hospital, so he does more than just scribble his name in the book and then move people along. Coach K even offered to come visit me in the hospital the next day. Unfortunately, I was discharged the day of the book signing, which probably marks one of the rare occasions that someone was disappointed they were getting out of the hospital.

[Dukehky]

Hi everyone,

Thanks for the replies. At least I know I don't need to plan my next visit around a certain event. I thought he was a little more accessible than that but I can understand why he's not.

Thanks again for the insight. I'll keep my eyes open for a public signing event or something. I appreciate the help.

Kelly

Definitely the basketball camps. There's a long line for a short meet, but if that's the goal, you got it. Or donate millions of dollars to Duke and he's all yours.

[duketaylor]

They run three sessions of basketball camp, the last 3 weeks of June. During check in, you can stand in line and meet him and get an autograph, pic, etc. There is no one checking to see if you are with the camp or not. Show up during one of those 3 days during the specific window and you will 100% get to meet him.

Good idea, plus K has a coaches camp which I've attended 4 times and there are opportunities for pics and sigs, etc. I never opted for that, wish now I had. I've met Mickie twice and have enjoyed her company both times, once at the Stetson game in '83 (I believe) and again a few years ago in the Gold lot outside Cameron.

Very nice lady.

[weezie]

...donate millions of dollars to Duke and he's all yours.

Smacking forehead, "D'OHHHH!!!"

And no, I don't mean that once and never boob down the road.

[duke4ever19]

you could get my son, Sam to introduce you. :rolleyes:

honestly, my situation isn't the "regular" one, but Coach K has been amazingly accessible to Sam since he was 7. Sam was first introduced to K through an ABC TV stats friend of mine. Coach K spent maybe 10 minutes with sam...on the floor with a big duke poster, autographing it, then calling shane out to have him escort us through the locker room for the REST of the autographs...

since then, Coach K has been extremely gracious in recognizing, speaking to, and even calling him to the front of the line at the book store... I'm sure some might see him as "prickly", but the pie family sure doesn't..

That's awesome. Thanks for sharing, moonpie.

[Philsfan]

I'm in Durham and have been able to meet Coach K twice. Both times were at the Emily K Center "Inside Duke Basketball" fundraiser. They're usually held mid-October. Cost was $250, most of which was tax-deductible if you itemize. Well worth the price.

I went the first two years and it consisted of watching a practice, both times as K gives the group insight as to what's going on. Then a tour of the practice facilities/Hall of Honor, then dinner as K speaks and/or interviews special guests/Q&A. Before and after dinner, K was available for autographs/pictures. It used to be that you could get two items signed...it may be cut to one now.

Both years, I hung put near the reception line after meeting him, just to see him interact with all sorts of folks. It was pretty amazing. You get a sense that he's very interested in each person there.

[lap814]

Go to the Coach K leadership conference - if they still have it. I got my company to pay for it and had a blast. Met Coach K at the cocktail party, chatted and got pictures. I've also met him at a book signing.

[Owen Meany]

They run three sessions of basketball camp, the last 3 weeks of June. During check in, you can stand in line and meet him and get an autograph, pic, etc. There is no one checking to see if you are with the camp or not. Show up during one of those 3 days during the specific window and you will 100% get to meet him.

FWIW, the last time my son was at Duke Basketball Camp they actually did check people in line against a list to be certain they were camp attendees.

[n8lbs]

I've never met Coach K. The closest I got was a preseason NBA game (Bobcats v. Heat at the PNC) and an unsubstantiated rumor that he and Quinn Cook were at the local Mickey D's ten minutes away from my home a couple of weeks after the natty in 2015. Did get a chance to shake Dean Smith's hand. Sweet man, yet I feel repugnant.

[weezie]

Actually, Coach K might want to meet me but I've just been too busy. That has to be the problem.

I need to calm down and straighten out my schedule, that's gotta be it. :cool: