Guest Post: Spirit of Madison

Jay Deck won last week’s prediction contest and earned the right to guest post. Here’s a good one for your Friday morning.

One of the many things that I love about JMU is its fan base. Many other schools would love to trade places with us exactly because of the enthusiasm, spirit and support our fans show here at Madison. In addition to our outstanding athletics, we also have renowned academic programs and a beautiful campus.  I believe these are just a few reasons why when students come to JMU after graduation they don’t want to leave the area.

Tailgating at football games are a blast. We started out with just four of us and have rapidly  grown to approx. 20. This is not including those who stop by to visit before heading to other tailgates, or the JMU Staff who drop by simply to make sure everyone is having a great time. I love planning the menu with my wife for our tailgates and are very grateful for friends and family who tailgate with us. I love going around to other tailgates to see friends having fun and especially love seeing nothing but purple and gold. You can just feel the excitement in the air when the buses arrive with the team. The Dog walk has become a great addition to the Saturday game tradition.   Oh and you can’t mention JMU football without the Marching Royal Dukes. It is great to see the MRD’s and team come together to celebrate both before and after a game. 

Then there are the many functions we put on our calendars a year in advance, the Cappello concert at the Forbes Center, the Beer and Wine event inside Bridgeforth Stadium on family weekend, and what would family weekend be without the Dinner on the Diamond.  It is great to spend time with the softball team and supporting them. Then we move onto Basketball and the Pep Band.   

Going to the many games and supporting the many teams at Madison is something we enjoy by living in the Burg. I guess what I am trying to say is that you can have fun anywhere on campus and with anyone of our teams. Lots of other schools may have their little clicks but not here at JMU, no matter where you go you feel welcome. That’s the beauty of Madison we are all family.  I also encourage folks to come out to the performing arts or simply just take a walk and enjoy all that JMU campus has to offer.

I want to give a big shout out to JMU Sports Blog and JMU Nation!  These groups give the fans a great sense of family and I love the fact that I can talk to people from all other the US about the teams and school we all love.  I also want to recognize the Duke Club and their staff. These folks work hard putting on events both to help not only support our athletes but also to bring the fans and athletes together.  The Spirit of Madison is something we can all be proud of! JMU is an amazing University and the last thing I want to say is GO DUKES!