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DWB Alum Update: 1985 Graduate Candy Mikels
6/27/2017 7:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
DURHAM, N.C.— Over the summer, the Blue Devils will be catching up with Duke women's basketball alumnae to see what they have been up to since leaving Durham. Up next is 1985 graduate Candy Mikels.
A four-year letterwinner with the Blue Devils from 1982-85, Mikels saw action in 106 games and made 47 starts. As a junior, she had her best season at Duke averaging 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds. She closed her career averaging 12.6 points and 7.9 rebounds. Mikels helped lead Duke to a then school-record 19 wins as a senior.
Mikels currently lives in Caswell County, N.C., where she and her husband have a 100-acre farm. More information can be found at http://www.raynayalpacas.com/.
Since graduating from Duke, what have you been up to?
I played basketball overseas for one season. My first job once returning to the states was working for a wholesaler/importer of handmade rugs at the International Home Furnishings Center. Later managing an office for a mirror manufacturer and fabricator of glass and mirror for the furniture industry.
What is it like living on a farm and having all of your animals?
Honestly one of the hardest jobs I have had. The second hardest job is trying to find employees to help on the farm!! No matter what the weather is you still have to take care of feeding/watering, monthly herd health and mucking stalls. No gym membership needed. I have corrected dystocia's, helped new born crias find the milk bar, watch a grieving dam trying to “wake up” her stillborn cria. Many tears shed both from joy and sadness, but wouldn't trade this lifestyle for the office jobs I once had. Currently, we have around 60 alpacas and six Livestock Guard Dogs on the 16+ acres in pasture. We also travel throughout the U.S. attending alpaca shows that enable us to market and sell our suri alpacas. This past show season we had an alpaca awarded the 2017 National Supreme Light Champion Suri Male, as a repeat for him as he garnered the same award in 2016. We also have 27 hens that produce “pasture” eggs that provide us with constant entertainment. We have a farm store on site where we vend the eggs, honey from our three beehives and homemade jam/jellies (many of the fruits are harvested from the farm) in addition to alpaca wearables and wonderful alpaca yarn in a wide range of colors.
Have you been able to keep in touch with many former teammates/coaches?
Most definitely. Several gals from the 80's have kept in touch and we try to have an annual mini reunion, most recently in Boone/Blowing Rock. Kathy Kennedy's mom has a house in Banner Elk, Barb Krause lives in Boone and Susan Morris Doss has a condo in Blowing Rock. So it was a perfect set up for a fun weekend, lots of laughs and great memories. When we were in Blowing Rock we ran into Bucky Waters and requested a group picture with him!
Also, former coach Jacki Silar was my junior high school coach in High Point so we go way back.
Do you still follow DWB and watch games when they are on television?
I have in the past but I didn't get to see too many games this past year.
Where did you play overseas hoops at and how was that experience?
I played in Sheffield England. It wasn't as competitive as I had hoped. I would have compared it to Division II contest at that time. Girls in high school at that time were still playing netball so it was a time of transition. Sheffield was well known for their steel production but it was shut down and they were importing it in therefore it was a very depressed town during my stay. I worked part-time in a neighborhood pub, it was walking distance and the family that ran the pub lived upstairs with their two children, which I became attached to rather quickly. I must say I really enjoyed working in the pub. BTW, they didn't tip you money while working behind the bar - they bought you drinks....and yes you could drink a pint while serving.
Of course nothing goes as planned or as expected. I was to get free transportation to and from England and given a car to drive while visiting. Free room and board. I was flying standby out of JFK and it was overbooked. Whew, I was able to plead my case and get on the flight. I was staying with the coach and her family in Sheffield. My room was the size of a closet. No transportation. We only practiced once a week and played once a week.
Four months into my visit, my parents and brother arrived and I met them in London. Did some sightseeing and we took a train to Sheffield so they could meet my coach and her family. After their visit, they begged me to fly back with them once seeing my situation. I couldn't because I had committed myself to stay the season even though they had not held up their end of the bargain.
Valuable lessons learned during this nine month excursion. Your word is all you have. When you commit and give your word, you follow through. It was a great experience and I don't regret the decision because it gave me a greater appreciation of the wonderful country we live in. Our freedoms, our wealth and our ability to better ourselves with hard work. I was never so happy than when the wheels touched down in NY at JFK airport. I literally kissed the ground!
Have you been able to make it back to Durham recently?
Practically every reunion. Last game I was in attendance was Winter 2015 as my former teammate Connie Goins flew in from Kentucky and we were able to catch a game at Cameron.
Since leaving Duke, who are a few DWB players you have enjoyed watching play?
Chante Black, Joy Cheek, Keturah Jackson, Alison Bales….the list could go on…
Do you get a chance to play basketball any these days?
Unfortunately I do not. Parts don't move like they use to!!
When looking back on your days at Duke, what are some of your favorite memories?
Driving to play Virginia in a snow storm dodging stranded vehicles on the interstate. Same trip we blocked off the coaches motel doors with a wall of snow! Staying off campus during Christmas holiday and dining at Shoney's and Honey's. Eating at Sam's Gourmet in Winston-Salem after playing Wake. Many games of spades and charades we played on our long bus trips to and from games. Being a junior “Ferd” in training. Firsts for me my freshman year, flying in an airplane and going to NYC!! Good times we had in rented houses at Myrtle Beach where the twins made the best spaghetti!! My least favorite memory is running the trails at the golf course!!
How has a Duke degree helped you?
Provided me with the basic understanding that anything is attainable with hard work, dedication and a vision of the finish line.
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