Blue Devils Men's Basketball

I
There comes a time when paths are few for men
The values over time may favor those who had less
Because of a history written by men ... affirmative action
Is shattering the glass ceiling for women; nonetheless
Men of all colors still dominate sports on television.

II
The Blue Devils have good Coach K at Duke University ...
I have watched him since our Hoosiers were 1987 champions
Led by Coach Knight - who had hired Coach K at the Naval Academy -
I was ecstatic Indiana U had overcome "Krzyzewski's Blue Devils"
Since then I envy men who have for their mentor, the same Coach K!

III
Basketball can be poetry in motion; the marriage of skill
With strict discipline that teaches the basics; only much later
Does he allow fancy footwork ... moves that give us a thrill;
Mike Krzyzewski and Polish in ethnicity (say Coach K, it's easier)
But that's the only easy thing you get as a Blue Devil!

IV
There is no such thing as a free lunch - someone has paid -
Coach K teaches that, as in free throws that are not free:
He insists these bonuses for the team must be made ...
And some players must shoot them all day (ruefully
but usefully during practice: selfish play is human nature, I'm afraid).

V
The Blue Devil male ball player joins a team, a family
(I know it sounds corny, but they care deeply for each other);
No matter who the opponents may be, they play boldly
And learn to make fruitful trips to the net whereas another
Team may be content to take many shots for a single shot, "The Three"

VI
I see the discipline helping men after they graduate from Duke;
They must maintain a decent GPA (and there is almost no controversy)
At this college; elsewhere ball players are heroes, and look
Like they are professional ... scouted by the NBA already:
"School is for losers." (Coach K teaches life and ball by the book)

VII
The Blue Devils know the clock; and by this I mean not just T-i-m-e;
They know each decision makes a difference to a game and destiny;
Both coach and players hold their ground; avoid crossing the line
Of challenging officials and players who call or make plays wrongly
And I have seen the basics pay off in comeback, NCAA wins three times!

VII
Basketball, if played with discipline and courage, is a thrill
It combines the magical moves of a chess master and hard work
Of a mentor-teacher that make it all smooth as silk:
Success that uplifts the many is not an accident, a quirk ...
It flows from deeply believing there is no "I" in "T-E-A-M" ... I think.