One of the best surprises of my Duke MBA journey has been the incredible sports culture at Duke and around Durham. Whether it’s football, basketball, or even professional sports a short drive away, every game day is an adventure and a chance to bond with friends and my wife, Flavia. From storming the field to road-tripping for the NFL, I’ve had countless unforgettable experiences that make Duke truly special.

Football at Wallace Wade Stadium

Starting with football, the Duke experience has been nothing short of cinematic. Duke grad students can get free tickets to home games in the student section, so every game was packed with my friends — Tulio, Amit, Gianluis, Melissa, Colette, and Michael — and we never missed a chance to cheer on the Blue Devils. The season kicked off with an epic win against Clemson. The stadium was filled with Clemson’s orange, but Duke’s defense shone, and when QB Leonard broke free for a 44-yard touchdown, it was electric. We rushed the field at the end — just like in the movies!

The next game against Lafayette was memorable, not because of the score (an easy win), but because we got caught in an absolute downpour. Despite getting soaked, my friends and I stuck it out, cheering until the final whistle. By the time we faced Notre Dame, Duke was undefeated, and ESPN College Gameday was on campus. Though we narrowly lost in the last 30 seconds, it was still an amazing experience to see our team battle it out on national TV.

Later games were equally thrilling. We enjoyed a relaxed win against Pittsburgh on a sunny Saturday afternoon, and the UNC game in my second year became an unforgettable highlight. We celebrated a massive comeback win with the Duke football team scoring 21 unanswered points to edge out UNC, 21-20. The game-day experience was taken to another level by our “One Team Fuqua” tailgate, one of the largest gatherings since COVID, with over 800 students attending from across Fuqua programs. This tailgate was an amazing way to bring everyone together before cheering Duke on to victory, and once the whistle blew, we all rushed the field. It was a game for the ages!

Basketball Madness at Cameron Indoor Stadium

If football is fun, basketball at Cameron is pure magic. I camped out both years at the Graduate Student Campout for a chance to buy season tickets, joining my Brazilian friends, Natalia, Renata, and Felipe. Campout is a weekend of random check-ins, events, and camaraderie, and I was lucky to score tickets for both seasons. Watching games from the grad student section, where you stand and cheer the entire game, makes every moment intense. My wife joined me for several games, and I even brought family along during winter break.

The season opener, Countdown to Craziness, was the perfect introduction. Cameron was packed, with everyone hyped to see the men’s and women’s teams in action. The atmosphere at Cameron is something special, and I was there for incredible moments, like our nail-biting win over Clemson and the epic game against UNC, one of the most famous rivalries in sports. Although we didn’t win, being there was unforgettable.

This season, I’ve already caught an exciting charity game against Arizona State, benefitting Duke Children’s Hospital, and the first real game against Maine. The energy for this season feels amazing, and I can’t wait to see how it unfolds.

Volleyball and Other Duke Sports

Another highlight has been watching the women’s volleyball games with Flavia and our friend Mariana. No tickets are needed, so we could enjoy these games on a whim. Although my first year was busy with recruiting, this year I’m making time to catch women’s basketball, lacrosse, tennis, and soccer matches. There’s so much to see, and Duke’s sports scene is always buzzing with excitement.

Exploring Professional Sports Nearby

One of the best parts of living in Durham is being close to so many pro sports teams. Charlotte is just two hours away, making it easy to catch professional football and basketball games. With my friends, I’ve watched the Carolina Panthers take on several opponents. I caught the Charlotte Hornets playing against the Chicago Bulls and, with my wife, watched them play the Los Angeles Lakers — we stayed a few extra days to explore Charlotte’s food scene.

For hardcore sports fans like me, Durham is also within driving distance of Atlanta, Georgia (about 6 hours) and Washington, D.C. (about 4.5 hours). I made the drive to see the Atlanta Falcons, and also caught a Washington Commanders game while in D.C. on a family trip.

Just a 30-minute drive from Fuqua is the home of the Carolina Hurricanes, the professional hockey team based in Raleigh. I saw the team play during winter break.

Sports at Duke: A Uniting Force

Attending Duke has been as much about sports as academics. The energy at games, the friendships made cheering on the Blue Devils, and the road trips to see professional teams have all added an unforgettable layer to my MBA experience. Sports here bring people together, and every game, whether on campus or off, has strengthened my bond with my Fuqua friends.