Played within the intimate confines of historic Alumni Gym, the Elon University men’s basketball games tend to be an exciting affair. Though players and opponents have changed from year to year, one tradition has cemented itself as an unmissable part of any Elon game in the last decade.
Without fail, after the under-eight media timeout in the second half, students begin to chant, “Dr. Danieley.”
And without fail, in response, President Emeritus J. Earl Danieley, who died Tuesday at 92, stood up and waved a rally towel to appease the crowd.
It’s a tradition that started in 2005, according to a Pendulum article from 2008. And though the chant has become an iconic part of every game in Alumni Gym, nobody quite knows why students first called Danieley’s name.
Danieley was one of Elon basketball’s most dedicated fans. His Elon pride was a part of his personality every day, but his passion for Elon athletics was unmatched on game nights inside Alumni Gym.
“For me, it was a reminder that somebody was there that cares about you, cares about the team and cares about the university in general,” said Adam Constantine, who played on the men’s basketball team from 2006 to 2010.
Head coach Matt Matheny, who has been at the helm since 2009, watched Danieley build relationships with generations of Elon basketball players.
“To sit courtside, to have the towel in his hand, to be there after games, to give our guys a hug and a handshake, it’s really really special,” said Matheny. “He’s been to practices, you know, for us to practice and have Dr. D on the sideline watching us practice, I think, wow, how fortunate are we to be able to share time with Mr. Elon.”
The chant and ensuing towel wave became so legendary that they were commemorated on multiple occasions when fans attending an Elon game received rally towels bearing a silhouette of Danieley waving his own.
With Dr. Danieley's death, Elon basketball will lose one of its most vocal supporters, and the second row of seats in Alumni Gym will be missing a familiar face.