I am a tried and true Duke Blue Devil. I bleed Duke blue. I think our blue is best. And yes, it is hard to be humble when you’re from Duke.

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“Thanks. You were with us every step of the way.”

I know … the enthusiasm of a Duke Blue Devil can be obnoxious. But my love for Duke grew even more after I learned that the men’s basketball team has a gratitude practice. During the 2014-2015 season, Coach K asked each player and coach on the team to write the name of at least one person on a team basketball. These names represented people who had helped them arrive at that place and time. Throughout the season, that special basketball traveled everywhere with the team. Every day, carrying it was the responsibility of one teammate. The basketball even came to their dorm rooms. When this team won the 2015 NCAA national championship, they mailed a handwritten note to every person whose name was written on that ball. The note said, “Thanks. You were with us every step of the ...