Last Saturday Duke beat Arkansas 78-69 in the Elite 8 to advance to the Final 4 this Saturday in New Orleans. The Blue Devils beat the Tar Heels in February, lost to them in March, and will get to play them in April for the 1st time ever this weekend. Earlier today HoopsHD’s Jon Teitel got to speak with Duke cheerleaders Kennedy Sun and Malorie Lipstein about the Tobacco Road rivalry and heading to Louisiana.
What made you choose Duke? Kennedy: I was attracted to Duke my entire life since I lived nearby (growing up 30 minutes away from Durham in Wake Forest, NC). I wanted a school with strong academics that would prepare me for life after college. Malorie: I grew up in New York but had known about the school and was excited to visit the campus, then fell in love with it after doing so. Everyone is friendly and wears Duke clothes. The students are super-smart and the basketball team is incredible.
You have been on the cheer team for the past few years: how did you 1st get into cheerleading, and what is the best part? K: I did cheerleading/dance/gymnastics all the way through high school. Once I got to college I felt that cheerleading was the best option because you can do your sport while still supporting other sports and engaging the fans: it is all-encompassing. The best part is the friendships I have made as well as the unique experiences. M: I started cheering in high school and have loved being able to travel with the team and be on the court for games. The most exciting thing is just putting on the uniform with “Duke” on my chest and representing the school.
You are a senior co-captain this year: what is the key to being a good leader? K: Being able to communicate and put yourself in other people’s shoes. It can be hard to lead people who are your friends but I ask them what they are thinking and keep it in mind. M: We are intermediaries between the team and the coach and have to find the middle ground to see what works well for the student-athletes.
How frustrating has it been to be a cheerleader for a great basketball team during a pandemic? K: I remember when COVID started during the spring of my sophomore year and the team was playing so well (25-6 entering the ACC tourney). I remember them running a computer simulation that said Duke would have won it all that spring, which really got to me: missing out on what could have been. I wish that we could have had someone live cheering for them. M: It was definitely tough last year to not go to any games. I LIVE to go to football/basketball games so it was hard to miss out on that, but I was still glad to be part of the team, and it makes this experience even more gratifying now. We are the only 2 cheerleaders here that have been to an NCAA tourney before so we had a notion of the greater purpose.
What are you majoring in? K: I entered college planning to be a chemistry major but changed my mind pretty quickly. I took a Psych class and felt drawn to it: I like the idea of how a person’s mindset impacts their health. I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Chemistry/Biology. I had such a great range of classes/professors and am really happy. M: I entered college completely undecided and did not know what direction I would take. I took a Psychology class with an amazing professor and am interested in how people think/feel/behave. I am majoring in Psychology and Spanish. I was fascinated to learn the scientific terms behind everyday behavior. Spanish just kind of snuck up on me after I studied in Spain for 6 weeks, which was an incredible experience. It is always good to have another language in your pocket.
You have won a Scholarship Award and made the Dean’s List during the past few years: how do you balance your work on the court with your work in the classroom? K: I actually did my thesis research on balance. It is equally important to prioritize things outside of school because if I am purposeful in directing my energy to my family/friends, then it will give me focus when I turn to academics. I feel really accomplished to have succeeded in many things: everyone wants to do it all and it can take a toll, but it invigorates me.
You have previously worked for several organizations to help respond to problems such as COVID/garbage/cancer: how much importance do you place on community service? M: Everyone at Duke is involved in some kind of organization. 1 thing I do is to help raise money for a summer camp for kids who have a parent that was affected by cancer. In addition to the money I help out as a counselor, which is very rewarding. My aunt started an organization during COVID to bake treats and donate them to 1st responders/hospital workers, and it grew into this huge effort to do acts of kindness. It has been exciting to be a part of it and has made me a well-rounded person.
What is the post-graduation plan? K: I will be attending medical school. I knew that I wanted to stay on the East Coast so I would like to end up in New York or Washington, DC. I am interested in so many different things including anesthesiology, OBGYN, pediatrics, and plastic surgery. I am sure that when I arrive at med school I will get exposed to everything. M: I am moving back to NYC this fall to work in marketing at L’Oréal and am so excited because I was hoping to end up back there. I have done several internships in various industries and think my background will blend nicely for marketing. The Duke alumni network was a huge help.
Last Saturday the Blue Devils had a 9-PT win over Arkansas in the Elite 8: what was the reaction like when you got back to campus, and can you explain the UNC-Duke rivalry to people who have only watched it on TV? K: We got back to campus around 8:30AM on Sunday so everyone was asleep, but I heard that the night before was exciting for everyone else. These are my most favorite games I have ever cheered at. The fact that the schools are so close (like 20 minutes away) is unbelievable. When we play them it seems that the team is so invested and at the top of their game that it brings out such special moments. M: If someone asks me what my happy place is, I would say the 3 seconds before the buzzer goes off at the end of a tourney win! Beating UNC would not just be about going to the next round: it is an overwhelming feeling. Students at Duke will sleep in tents for 6 WEEKS just to get into the rivalry game: when people wake up on UNC game day it feels like Christmas.
How does your school decide who gets to go to the Final 4, and does your squad have anything extra-special planned for this weekend? K: Our coach decides who gets to go: we have a 20-person team but the NCAA only allows us to bring 12 people. M: We have our usual routines planned along with some interviews/pep rallies/open practice: just extra ways to celebrate.
Any predictions? K: After seeing how the Elite 8 played out I think that we are capable of beating anyone: we just need to be prepared. M: More like hopes and dreams! We want it so badly, especially for Coach K. I think if we beat UNC then we will face Kansas in the title game.