Kamala Harris' VP candidate stops by Duke facility, shares moment with coach Jon Scheyer

Tim Walz, the running mate of presidential candidate Kamala Harris for the 2024 elections, made a special visit to Duke's Cameron Indoor Stadium. Walz shared a video from the trip, which included a meeting with Blue Devils coach Jon Scheyer on Thursday.

"Pretty darn cool getting to stop by Cameron Indoor," he wrote on X.

In the video, Tim Walz commented that the Duke facility was similar to a high school gym. He is familiar with that setting as he coached high school football and girl's basketball teams at Alliance High School in Nebraska.

Later, in 1996, Tim Walz and his wife Gwen moved to Minnesota, where he taught social studies at the Mankato West High School. He was also the defensive coordinator for the football team and led them to their first state championship in 1999.

"He was very good about teaching the fundamentals of defense and where to be," Tim Boone, a fellow assistant, told The Athletic. "But it was also, like, ‘OK, you’re going to get there, but now you’ve got to get there with some enthusiasm!’"

Tim Walz also asked coach Jon Scheyer what it was like walking out of the tunnel and into the court.

"Its the best feeling in the world," Scheyer replied.

Walz finished his visit by wishing luck to the Duke Blue Devils, who begin their 2024-25 season in less than two weeks.

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Duke coach Jon Scheyer shares his goals for the new season

After an Elite Eight exit and transfer portal exodus, Jon Scheyer has seen a lot this off-season. With just three returning players, the coach has assembled a strong team with six freshman recruits and five portal additions.

In an interview with ESPN, Scheyer shared his goals for the new Duke team. When asked how he handles expectations around the team with the No. 1 recruit, Copper Flagg, he said:

"I feel the weight every day. My expectations, I promise, are higher than anybody else's. ... You can get caught up very easily as the coach at Duke in just the results, and I think when you get caught up in results, you might not reach your potential or ceiling.

"My focus has been on being the best every day for my team. Last year, we fell victim to feeling that pressure, to where we weren't at our best when it mattered most. I think if you're consumed with each play and moment and practice, amazing things happen. I've seen that play out. That's my goal for this group."

Duke will begin their season on Nov. 4 against Maine.