I am a firm believer that the truest form of fandom is fostered at birth. No time is wasted in finding a team you enjoy, but rather the indoctrination begins simultaneously with conscious thought. Thus, it should come as no surprise that in late March of 1986 I was born with a Duke basketball game on in the delivery room. The rest, as they say, is history.

Being a true fan is more than cheering on game day or following your team from afar. True fandom involves pain and agony with every defeat and an unmatched jubilation with every win. It involves an honest and unabashed hatred for your rivals and an uncompromising willingness to do anything to help your team to victory.

My love for Duke basketball has taken many forms, from canceling dates in high school to watch Duke games at home to transforming myself into my kilted alter ego "The Scotsman" for every game and learning no fewer than 50 Carolina jokes. Come game night, all jokes are set aside, and after living for months in a tent outside the stadium to secure my place among the Cameron Crazies, I yell, distract, cheer, intimidate and scream myself hoarse in exchange for the privilege of watching my beloved Blue Devils vanquish our pitiful baby-blue neighbors. Krzyzewskiville is my home, Cameron is my church, and my heart and soul stay where every true fan's belongs: on the court.

--Alec Macaulay, aka "The Scotsman," Charlotte