GREENSBORO, N.C. — Rivalry and basketball aside, education and helping students succeed hold a special place in Coach Mike Krzyzewski's heart.
He wanted to see more kids make it to college. That is one of the reasons he opened the Emily K Center in Durham, named in honor and memory of his mother, Emily.
A recent University of North Carolina Greensboro grad benefited from the Emily K Center. The Emily K Center is a non-profit located in Durham that helps thousands of kids each year intending to get a college degree.
The center works with many kids who might be first-generation college students, one of them is Evelyn Chavez. She lives in the Triangle and recently graduated from UNCG last year.
She learned about the Emily K Center when she was in high school and still keeps in touch. The best part about it is that it doesn't matter if you bleed Duke or Carolina blue, the center wants to help.
"The Emily K Center is a family-oriented place they joke around, they do their little rivalry stuff, but any of that put aside, they do come together," Chavez said. "They even suggest, hey, you would be good. Go ahead and apply for UNC-Chapel Hill, you know. It doesn't have anything to do with any rivalry, they just try to do anything they can to make it better for the students."
Chavez said she encourages all students to get involved with the Emily K Center. They offer tutoring, college tours, and other academic assistance.