Duke’s Cameron Crazie student section isn’t known for being college hoops’ most hospitable. In fact, their clever antics, such as throwing pizza boxes on the court after NC State player Lorenzo Charles was caught stealing pizzas or dressing up as characters from the Wizard of Oz for Roy Williams’ first game at Duke after leaving Kansas to become head coach at North Carolina, have been widely documented and have helped deem Cameron Indoor Stadium one of toughest places to play in all of college sports.
But sometimes, the Crazies go too far – like when they were accused of chanting “how’s you grandma?” at NC State player Tyler Lewis just a week after she passed away or by making signs like this ahead of last night’s game against Michigan State:
Never make a sign again, Cameron Crazy. pic.twitter.com/BjOv59UVS0
— Joe Ovies (@joeovies) November 30, 2016
The sign, which reads: “The water tastes better in North Carolina,” is a direct jab at the Flint, Michigan water crisis where thousands of children have been exposed to water with elevated levels of lead that may cause serious health issues in the future.
I understand the history of this rabid fan base and appreciate their often dexterous antics and chants, but this is tacky. What’s going on in Flint and the people who have been affected by it is nothing to joke about.
So now the question is, why was this sign even allowed in the arena? Do staff not screen items that students are bringing in and if not, should they start? If the sign was made by a student after getting inside, should there be someone monitoring what is being written so that the actions of one callously ignorant student won’t affect the reputation of others who have the ability to be cunning without being offensive, because posters like this have no place in college basketball.
***Update***
I was told by Herald-Sun reporter Jonas Pope IV, that security confiscated the sign once they were made aware of it.
