The Craziest Crazie

Posted On: January 10, 2011 By: johnnydukes32 Comments: (more)

Who is the man that swings the towel in section 7? I seem get that question everytime I bring a new friend into historic Cameron Indoor Stadium. Everyone knows him as Crazy Towel Guy but little is known how he became an iconic fan in the Duke Nation.

I have had the pleasure of speaking to the man also known as Herb Neubauer in my travels to games at Cameron as well as talking to him on the phone in the past years. I even had the honor of obtaining one of his towels for my Duke collection that he is so infamous for. But he is so much more than that guy who swings the towel.

In 1980 he became a season ticket holder at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Ever since he has been to almost every home Duke Basketball game and is also seen at many other Duke sporting events always carrying his towel as he continues to be the most recognized Duke fan. But how did did he become Crazy Towel Guy? It all started with a blue leather Mexican hat he bought in Tijuana. Herb would wear it to every Duke game and would sweat so much he would have to take a towel to wipe the sweat off. He then started swinging it in the stands. In 1994 the student section know as “The Crazies” started chanting “Crazy Towel Guy” at their home games as he would stand up, swing his towel and pump his fists getting Cameron as loud as he possibly could. The rest is history. Any home game you may get a chance to got to you can be sure at one of the whistles you will sure to hear the chant and see the ritual that has made the Crazy Towel Guy the most popular Crazie.

Behind the legend is also a man who has so much passion, respect for Duke fans and players alike. In 1994 Herb had a fire in his house and he lost years of Duke memorabilia. Final Four tickets, collectible buttons , team signed balls from the championship years and his famed blue Mexican hat. After the fire Mike Gminski had sent him some of his Duke items. Herb politely sent them back. This was the attitude and respect he had for Duke and their players. The fire may have set his collection of Duke memorabilia back but it wouldnt take Crazy Towel Guys passion on to becoming the “Craziest Crazie”.

Category: Duke Basketball

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2 Responses to “The Craziest Crazie”

Cliff Says:
January 10th, 2011 at 1:55 am
Great story on “Crazy Towel Guy” Johnny. Pretty cool to learn how it all came about.

Anyone else have any stories about Herb?
Ruth Cronin Says:
January 10th, 2011 at 4:17 am
Great article. Never knew the story behind “Crazy Towel Guy” and this article shows us the special person he is. He certainly is a valuable member of the “Duke Team”.