University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC & Duke ROTC Set To Ruck MBB Game Ball To Durham Friday
March 4, 2026 | Men's Basketball
CHAPEL HILL, N.C.—Continuing an annual tradition, members of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) from the University of North Carolina and Duke will ceremonially kick off the season-ending matchup between the schools' men's basketball teams on Friday.
Escorted by members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, ROTC cadets will ruck from Chapel Hill to Durham with the game ball for Saturday's UNC-Duke contest, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in Cameron Indoor Stadium on ESPN.
Rucking is a military term that refers to marching or hiking with a heavy, loaded backpack as a training mechanism.
This is an annual event where Army ROTC cadets ruck with the game ball to bring it to the school hosting the game. Last year, the ROTC rucked with 35-pound packs from Duke to UNC. This year, it will bring the game ball from Carolina to Duke on Friday morning.
Approximately 30 people will participate, including ROTC Army cadets from Carolina and Duke for the 12-mile ruck. The event is designed to demonstrate camaraderie in the face of fierce competition between the rival schools.
The group is expected to arrive at Cameron Indoor Stadium at approximately 1 p.m.
The effort will be supported by the Carolina Veteran's Alumni Association and the American Legion, both of which are donating their time as well as refreshments to support cadets at the finish line.
Escorted by members of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, ROTC cadets will ruck from Chapel Hill to Durham with the game ball for Saturday's UNC-Duke contest, set to begin at 6:30 p.m. in Cameron Indoor Stadium on ESPN.
Rucking is a military term that refers to marching or hiking with a heavy, loaded backpack as a training mechanism.
This is an annual event where Army ROTC cadets ruck with the game ball to bring it to the school hosting the game. Last year, the ROTC rucked with 35-pound packs from Duke to UNC. This year, it will bring the game ball from Carolina to Duke on Friday morning.
Approximately 30 people will participate, including ROTC Army cadets from Carolina and Duke for the 12-mile ruck. The event is designed to demonstrate camaraderie in the face of fierce competition between the rival schools.
The group is expected to arrive at Cameron Indoor Stadium at approximately 1 p.m.
The effort will be supported by the Carolina Veteran's Alumni Association and the American Legion, both of which are donating their time as well as refreshments to support cadets at the finish line.
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