Toes may be frozen and sleeping bags may be wet, but few obstacles deter University basketball fans from camping out to see the Cavaliers take on rival Blue Devils. Tents of all shapes and sizes line the cement sidewalks around University Hall bringing "Hooville" to life.
Sunday night marked the start of the Duke game campout for the game this Saturday night.
According to first-year College student and member of the 'Hoo Crew Tara Jones, 30 groups submitted their names Sunday night to the organization that manages "Hooville." Students began setting up camp at 9:30 the same evening.
Second-year Engineering student Christina Robinette is a member of group four. Because Robinette camped out with nine other friends for the N.C. State game Sunday, she said her tent has been in place since Wednesday.
Despite spending 10 hours in Hooville to fulfill her shift, though, Robinette said she was unable to attend the N.C. State game due to a school project she needed to finish.
But she did see the game -- as well as her fellow group members -- on TV. "Man, why am I not there?" Robinette said of the thoughts running through her head while she watched the game from home.
Missing the Cavaliers victory over the Tarheels, however, seems only to have increased Robinette's excitement for her first basketball game.
"I follow the games on TV, but this is the first game I am actually going to," Robinette said. "I am excited about being one of the first groups in with all of my friends and being on TV."
One thing she said she looks forward to, though, exceeds the rest: "Beating Duke," Robinette said with an enthusiastic smile.
Before Robinette can enjoy the game, however, she must complete her shifts for a total of 13 hours.
"We sent our class schedules to one person, and she made a spreadsheet of time slots for all of us," she said. "And we have one person camping out every night."
Robinette said she doesn't have to miss any classes, but certain times are crucial for prompt arrival. No one wants to miss roll call.
Jones said that roll call is done at random times, and groups have one half hour to sign in from the time roll call is made. A group can only miss one roll call before losing their spot.
Although missing roll call is Robinette's biggest fear, getting sick from being in the cold too long also concerns her.
"Last night, the snow soaked through and our sleeping bags are totally soaked through," Robinette said. "But I brought a lot of extra clothes and socks."
Robinette said she tries to spend her time sleeping or doing homework, but things can get brutal out there.
"When your hands get cold, it gets hard to write," Robinette said with a cup of Greenberry's coffee in hand. In spite of the cold, though, Robinette said she looks forward to sharing the experience with her friends.
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