Employees Cheer On Duke At Kick-Off

With AC/DC's "Back in Black" booming throughout Wallace Wade Stadium, Duke's football team emerged from the locker room in new black uniforms. As players ran onto the field, fans, including thousands of employees, cheered and clapped for the home team.

The fanfare was a part of the Sept. 3 Blue Devils season-opener and Employee Kick-Off Celebration that drew 32,741 people and requests for more than 20,000 tickets from Duke faculty and staff. Duke Athletics and Human Resources sponsored the Employee Kick-Off Celebration.

"It's nice to be appreciated and to be able to include your family to show them where you work," said Pamela Groves, a staff specialist with the Department of Anesthesiology who attended the game with her daughter. "Last year was my first Duke football game, and I enjoyed it so much I definitely wanted to come back this year."

Even though Duke lost in a down-to-the-wire 23-21 game against the University of Richmond at Wallace Wade Stadium, head coach David Cutcliffe  said fan enthusiasm was a good way to set the tone for the new season.

"Saturday night's attendance was outstanding, and we are appreciative to everyone who played a part," Cutcliffe said.  "This week, nationally-ranked Stanford visits Wallace Wade Stadium, and we look forward to having another energetic crowd." 

Prior to the game, Duke fans celebrated in the "Employee Fan Zone" at Krzyzewskiville, on the grass area outside Card Gymnasium, with face painting, games, a catered meal and live DJ. 

"The annual Employee Kick-Off has grown substantially over the past three years and is one event that brings together the entire Duke community and their families," said Kyle Cavanaugh , vice president of administration. "The feedback we have received from faculty and staff is very positive, and we look forward to another great event next year."

A video message from David Cutcliffe

Football fans have the opportunity to see the Blue Devils play six  more home games against some of the top teams in the country like Florida State University and Virginia Tech. This Saturday, Duke hosts sixth-ranked Stanford University, which is led by Heisman Trophy  favorite and All-American quarterback Andrew Luck .

Faculty and staff can purchase deeply discounted tickets for the remainder of home games with the 2011-2012 Employee Athletic Pass, presented by the Duke Federal Credit Union. The pass costs $280  for four seats, which averages less than $12  per seat, per game. In addition to tickets to home football games, the pass also offers discounted tickets for women's basketball home games at Cameron Indoor Stadium .

There are also mini plan options that offer a reserved seat for three games for $99. Mini plans include the "Blue" package with games against Stanford, Tulane and Florida State over the next six weeks of the season. A "White" package includes Wake Forest, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech for the final three home games in October and November.

For more information about ticket plans, call the Duke Athletics' ticket office at (919) 681-2583, visit GoDuke.com or e-mail duketix@duaa.duke.edu.