Carlyle Cup

In no other part of the country are there two college athletic programs that have achieved excellence both on and off the playing field than in the Triangle. Duke vs. North Carolina. The thought of the two squaring off raises the hair on the necks of both schools alumni, sends the student bodies into a frenzy, and makes friendly neighbors add the games between the two to the list of politics and religion as unmentionable subjects.

The rivalry vaults to another level with the announcement that the two schools will compete for the Carlyle Cup, a unique sterling silver and enamel trophy designed exclusively for the competition. Carlyle & Co., the Greensboro, North Carolina-based jeweler, did not hesitate for an instant when the idea was proposed to them in the summer of 2000.

While football and basketball generally receive the most attention, the Carlyle Cup competition places the focus on 23 sports, allowing fans to follow the action, building interest in each meeting, and growing toward the culmination in the spring when the winner is announced.

Duke and UNC fans are able to keep up with the schedule and point standing on Carlylecup.com, which can be accessed from GoDuke.com and Tar HeelBlue.com and CarlyleCo.com.

"Duke vs. North Carolina is the finest rivalry in not only college athletics but is unmatched at all levels of sport," explains Duke Director of Athletics Joe Alleva. "To have a great company like Carlyle & Co. step forward and bring so much more attention to 20 teams at each school makes it even more special. I sincerely thank Russell Cohen and his vision to have Carlyle & Co. become instrumental in starting a new tradition we hope will last for years."

Carlyle & Co., with 38 stores across the country including 13 in North Carolina, has agreed to support the competition for three more years through 2006. The annual winner will retain and prominently display the Carlyle Cup each year.

"We are delighted and honored to be associated in this way with two of the most prestigious universities in the world," said Carlyle & Co. CEO Russell Cohen. "Our entire organization is excited with extending the Carlyle Cup three more years, as with our customers who follow the competition between these two great schools."

Duke won the initial Carlyle Cup in 2001, 27-21. UNC came back to claim the cup in 2002 by a 31-17 score. Duke emerged victorious by narrow margins the last two years, 25.5-22.5 in 2003 and 14-12 in 2004 when the format was changed and the total points at stake was reduced to 26.

CHANGE OF POINTS FORMAT

Duke vs. North Carolina will compete in 23 sports, with a revised scoring formula in effect for Year 4 of the competition. A total of 26 points is now at stake. Two points will be awarded for the season series winner in football, men's basketball and women's basketball. The other 20 sports will each be worth 1 point. There will no longer be a tiebreaker. Should Duke and UNC tie in the competition, 13-13, the Carlyle Cup will be retained by the school that last won it.

Points for each sport are awarded "winner take all" on which school wins more head-to-head meetings or has a higher ACC finish. If all head-to-head meetings are split, each school gets one-half of the designated point total. Post-season (ACC, NCAA Tournament) is included in head-to-head meetings.