As Duke’s men’s basketball team looks to capture their sixth national championship, and their first under coach Jon Scheyer, cheering loudly from the stands will be Jon’s wife, Marcelle Scheyer. Marcelle considers herself the “mom of the basketball team,” and her love and support for the players are evident in everything she does.
*A Supportive Partner*
“Seeing Jon in his element and coaching at the best place in the world, in my opinion, has been a dream come true,” Marcelle told WRAL. “I hope he coaches at Duke forever.” Her devotion to her husband and the team is inspiring, and she takes pride in being a constant presence in their lives.
*A Caring Mother Figure*
Marcelle’s nurturing side is evident in her role as a mother figure to the team. “I just want to wrap them up and keep them safe,” she said. “There’s so much that they’re exposed to. They’re young and amazing guys.” Her maternal instincts kick in as she looks out for the well-being of the players, and her affection for them is palpable.
*A Family-Oriented Approach*
Marcelle and Jon have three children together: Noa Marie, Jett James, and James Russell. As a family nurse practitioner, Marcelle brings a caring and compassionate approach to her work. She graduated from Duke with a master’s in nursing in 2016 and works in the area.
*The Scheyer Kid Captain Program*
Marcelle and Jon launched the Scheyer Kid Captain program in 2022, which provides a connection between the Duke Basketball program and the life-saving work performed daily at Duke Children’s Hospital. The program invites a patient and family from Duke Children’s to spend a game day with the team, attend practice, and sit behind the bench.
*Making a Difference*
“The players may be inspiring to these kids and giving them strength and something to look forward to,” Marcelle said. “But I always say, they’re just as inspiring to us and to our team, seeing the strength that they have and their fight and their joy.” Marcelle gets emotional when she sees the impact of the program on the kids and their families, and she’s grateful to be a part of it.
As the season unfolds, Marcelle will undoubtedly be cheering on her husband and the team from the stands, proud of the work they’re doing on and off the court.
