Cameron Indoor Stadium

Infobox_Stadium
stadium_name = Cameron Indoor Stadium| nickname = "Coach K Court"
location = 301 Whitford Dr
Durham, NC 27708
broke_ground =
opened = January 6, 1940
closed =
demolished =
owner = Duke University
operator = Duke University
surface =
construction_cost= $400,000
architect = Horace Trumbauer
former_names = Duke Indoor Stadium (1940-1972)| tenants = Duke Blue Devils
(Men's and Women's basketball, Women's Volleyball, Men's Wrestling)
seating_capacity =1960- 12,000
1988- 9,314

Cameron Indoor Stadium is a basketball arena located on the West Campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.

History

Supposedly, the plans for the stadium were drawn up in 1935 by basketball coach Eddie Cameron. The stadium was designed by Julian Abele, who had studied at the Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, France. The same architectural firm that built the Palestra was brought in to build the new stadium. The arena was dedicated on January 6, 1940, having cost $400,000. At the time, it was the largest gymnasium in the country south of the Palestra at the University of Pennsylvania. Originally called "Duke Indoor Stadium," it was renamed for Cameron on 1972-01-22. [ cite web |url=http://www.lib.duke.edu/archives/history/eddie_cameron.html |title= Edmund M. Cameron 1902-1988|work=The Duke Dialogue|first=William E. |last =King|date=1996-03-01|accessdate=2008-03-06]

The building originally included seating for 8,800, though standing room was sufficient to ensure that 12,000 could fit in on a particularly busy day. Then, as now, Duke students were allocated a large number of the seats, including those in the lower sections directly alongside the court. Renovations in 1987-1988 removed the standing room areas, added an electronic scoreboard and display over center court, wood paneling, brass railings and student seats, bringing capacity to 9,314. For high profile games, students are known to pack in as many as 1,600 into the student sections, designed for a maximum of 1,100. Prior to the 2002–2003 basketball season, air conditioning units were installed in Cameron for the first time as a response to health and odor concerns for players and fans alike. [cite news|url=http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/102449/|title='Cool' To Be A Duke Fan? Cameron Indoor Stadium To Get AC|date=2002-07-29|first=Julia |last=Lewis|work=Wral.com|accessdate=2008-03-06]

Duke's men's basketball teams have had a decided home-court advantage for many years, thanks to the diehard students and fans affectionately known as "Cameron Crazies" for their aggressiveness, tough catcalls, bleacher jumping and other actions used to create loud noises and rattle opposing offenses. Typically, the seats near the court as well as standing room is reserved for students who wait hours in order to access those areas come game time. The very active fan base has helped in Duke's unprecedented success in home games during the Coach K era.

For access to major games, including those against the University of North Carolina, students tent for days in an area outside of Cameron known as "Krzyzewskiville." The hardwood floor was dedicated and renamed Coach K Court in February 2001, in recognition of head coach Mike Krzyzewski's 500th win at Duke. [cite web|url=http://dukespace.lib.duke.edu/dspace/bitstream/10161/64/27/RPT20001120.pdf|format=PDF|date=2000-11-20|first=Nannerl O.|last=Keohane|title=MEMORANDUM: Summary of Activities|accessdate=2008-03-06]

Media coverage

In EA Sports's NCAA March Madness 2005 and '06, Cameron Indoor Stadium ranked first in the top twenty-five toughest places to play. Additionally, "Sports Illustrated" ranks it fourth on a list of the world's top 20 sporting venues, and "USA Today" referred to it as "the toughest road game in the nation".

Milestone Games

Home court advantage

Records at Cameron Indoor Stadium
All-Time: 722-148 (.830) "(as of 2008-03-06)" [cite web|url=http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/seasons/|title=Duke Blue Devils Basketball Statistical Database - Season by Season|work=StatsGeek.com|accessdate=2008-03-06]
Coach K: 318-48 (.850) "(entering the 2005-2006 season)"
Last 300 games: 277-23 (.923) "(entering the 2005-2006 season)"

Non-conference win streaks

As of 2008-03-06, Duke has the longest non-conference home court win streak with 59 wins since the last non-conference loss at Cameron. The longest non-conference home win streak in school history lasted 95 game, from 1983-02-02-1995-12-02, beginning with a 73-71 win over William and Mary and ending with a 65-75 loss to illinois. [cite web | url=http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/duke/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/cameronrecords.pdf |title=Cameron Indoor Records|accessdate=2008-03-06|format=PDF] [cite web |url=http://goduke.statsgeek.com/basketball-m/seasons/schedule.php?season=1982-83 |title=1982-83 Season and Results |work=StatsGeek.com|accessdate=2008-03-06]

References

External links

* [http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=218099 Cameron Indoor Stadium Official Page]
* [http://graphics.fansonly.com/photos/schools/duke/sports/m-baskbl/auto_pdf/cameronrecords.pdf Cameron Indoor Stadium Men's Basketball Statistics]