The daughters – protective, funny, independent, smart – of Coach Mike Krzyzewski and his wife, Mickie, were brought to Durham in 1980 (excepting Jamie, who was born here at Durham Regional Hospital) after his stint at West Point. Truth is, the odds of them staying were long, given the peripatetic nature of a college coach’s career. Smart money would have had them living here for three years, maybe, and then moving on, perhaps to Bloomington, Indiana, where Coach K’s mentor was having things his way. But turns out their dad did pretty well at Duke.
*******
So the three sisters — Debbie Savarino, Lindy Frasher and Jamie Spatola — over time became true daughters of Durham. Loyal and supportive of the city, each chooses to live here. They all attended Durham public schools;
Lindy and Jamie also attended Durham Academy.
I wondered if Coach K’s daughters might be shy of publicity. After all, living a lifetime as a Krzyzewski in Durham must be intimidating, or so it would appear from the outside. On the other hand, I recall an interview with George Harrison who replied, when asked what it was like to be one of The Beatles, “What’s it like not to be a Beatle?”
But whatever self-confidence and deep source of pride propels the children of famous parents, the three daughters of Coach K have it in spades. They appear glad, demonstrably so, to talk about their city, their passions and the fun (and challenges) of being daughters of a renowned coach. The following is an edited transcript of an interview by Editorial Director Dan Shannon conducted at the Emily K Center, an oasis of optimism for kids in tough situations, and a place the “Krzyzewski girls” are clearly comfortable.
******
DM: Interviewing three people is always tricky in terms of getting everyone sorted out. So I’m going to begin by asking each of you to provide a thumbnail biography. The eldest is usually the bossiest, so let’s start with Debbie.
DEBBIE: It’s true, I am the bossiest. My name is Debbie Krzyzewski Savarino, I’m 38 years old and have four children: Joey, 9, Michael, 7, and Emmie and Carly are both 5. I’ve lived in Durham since I was 9 years old, except for one year when I lived in Ohio.
LINDY: I am Lindy Frasher [pronounced “frazier”]. I’m 32 years old with a two-and-a-half-year old named Quin with another boy due at the end of May. I’ve lived here since I was 3, except for the four years I went to Wake Forest and the three years I was in Los Angeles getting my master’s degree from Pepperdine. I teach AP Psychology at Durham Academy.
Latest Comments